Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Sad Sad Babies: Hey du

Sad Sad Babies is a German krautrock band formed in 1972 as The Groovin' Babies by Hans Klausner (drums) and Berthold Ebersbacher (bass) and later joined by Didi Osterhagen (guitar). In time for their Eurovision debut in 1974, Spit Wannemaker replaced Osterhagen to solidify the classic Sad Sad Babies line up.

Sad Sad Babies were related to the free jazz music scene, both through their work with transexual French pianist Dorothea and through Klausner, who had already won several international jazz competions. The band was also influenced by rock artists, such as Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, David Bowie, 13th Floor Elevators and early Pink Floyd.

The band's 25th studio album, Hey du, was released in 2009. The album cover saw the return of the Kewpie doll motif that was used on the band's first ten albums. The band is often remembered for the tragic accident at a 1982 Munich concert that killed three audience members. A 15-foot tall Kewpie doll balloon was accidentally filled with hydrogen gas and it exploded violently during a pyrotechnic display. Bass player Ebersbacher was also seriously injured in the explosion.

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