Trivia

Has two sons with his wife Annik, Valentin Balthasar (born 6 January 1997) and Tamino Wecker (born 15 September 1999).

Peace movement and anti-xenophobia activist.

Was forced to cancel a performance in the East German town of Halberstadt after the extreme right party NPD threatened to disturb his concert (March 2006).

Composed two musicals with Christopher Franke about artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser (2004) and the Bavarian King Ludwig II. (2005).

Was backed by members of the "United Jazz and Rock Ensemble" between 1986 and 1993.

After having severe problems with drugs throughout the 1980s and 1990s, which he had digested in some of his songs and the 1993 novel "Uferlos" ("Boundless"), he was sentenced to one year and eight months in jail for possessing of cocaine (2000).

His breakthrough as a singer came with his album "Genug ist nicht genug" (lit. for "Enough is not enough"), including critical songs such as "Willy", about a man who was slain by drunken Nazis (1977).

One of Germany's most popular singer-songwriters, also working as a composer, author and actor.