Inga Rumpf Artist Biography by Frank Eisenhuth
Inga Rumpf was one of the best-known German R&B singers. Her voice often drew comparisons to Janis Joplin, but Rumpf was able to develop her own unique vocal style. Catapulted to stardom in the ‘70s with her band Frumpy, she released a number of highly acclaimed solo works in the ‘80s and ‘90s and came to be regarded as the grand old lady of German R&B. Whereas other German female vocalists such as Nina Hagen faded away over time, Rumpf consequently followed her path and never compromised herself artistically (unlike her ex-bandmate Udo Lindenberg, whose creativity died down by the end of the ‘80s when he started putting out lightweight pop).
Born on August 2, 1946 in Hamburg, Rumpf started performing as a teenager with different blues bands in the Hamburg entertainment district of St. Pauli. In 1965, she founded the folk band City Preachers and recorded three albums with them. After a creative crisis in 1969, the band changed styles from folk to a mix of beat and soul. A new lineup reflected this: Jean-Jacques Kravetz (keyboards), Karl-Heinz Schott (bass) and Udo Lindenberg (drums) formed the core of the new band, which one year later was to become Frumpy when Udo Lindenberg left to start a solo career and was replaced by Carsten Bohn. Frumpy recorded only two albums, All Will Be Changed (1970) and Frumpy 2 (1971) -- the latter containing the hit single "How the Gipsy Was Born" -- but these two LPs rewrote German rock history. The band was praised as the best German rock act, and Rumpf was declared the greatest individual vocal talent of the German rock scene to date.
After Frumpy disbanded, Rumpf founded Atlantis in 1972, with Kravetz and Schott, along with new additions Frank Diez on guitar and Curt Cress on drums. The same year, the German music magazine Musik Express selected Rumpf best German vocalist, and her band, Atlantis, "best live and studio band." Several U.K. tours, alone and with Lindenberg, made her well-known in the English-speaking hemisphere as well. Atlantis disbanded in 1975 after three excellent years, and Rumpf released her first solo effort, Second Hand Mädchen, which was heavily influenced by Lindenberg who, two years earlier, had established himself as one of the most promising German rock acts. Lindenberg had shown that German lyrics work in rock songs, and so Rumpf switched to singing in German, too, although on her 1981 album, Reality, she sang in English again. She wrote all of the songs herself for this, and even produced it. Tina Turner did a cover of "I Wrote a Letter," which was released as the B-side of her 1984 comeback single "Let's Stay Together" (re-released as a bonus track on the centenary edition of her landmark album Private Dancer in 1998). Also in 1981, Rumpf widened her horizon by accepting a job as a lecturer at the Hamburg Musikhochschule (university of music). Her 1984 album, Liebe, Leiden, Leben, again containing German lyrics, earned critical acclaim and she proved not to have lost any of the power she'd radiated in the ‘70s with Frumpy and Atlantis.
After a short Frumpy reunion in 1991-1992, the ‘90s saw Rumpf experimenting with jazz (with the 1994 album Fifty-Fifty with pianist Joja Wendt) and gospel music. In accordance with the philosophy of gospel, a significant number of her performances took place in churches, her lyrics became more spiritual, and increasingly revealed a Christian context without being preachy, so even atheists should be comfortable with the music of her later career. Critics hailed her 1996 album In the 25th Hour as her best to that point. Among other covers, the album contained her version of Ray Charles' hit "Unchain My Heart," as her best so far. The same year, the compilation The Best of All My Years was released. Her 1999 album, Walking in the Light, contained text adaptations of the biblical Sermon on the Mount.
From 2001 onward, Rumpf started to perform rock, R&B, and soul on a weekly basis in her hometown of Hamburg. Three years later, she founded her own record label, 25th Hour Music with the release of the live album Live im Michel. Rumpf's work with Frumpy and Atlantis, as well as her solo output of later years, is essential listening for everybody who wants to get to know German rock music.
Joja Wendt
A few days without a piano and I really get nervous’ asserts Joja Wendt. “I constantly hunger for the keys, five hours playing feels like only hour to me.” Joja Wendt is a pianist through and through, his concerts fill the largest concert halls. He is, without doubt, technically brilliant and driven when at his instrument. However, when he talks about his music, easily sitting back and yet elegant, it seems impossible that this man could ever get nervous. Even his small talk is ‚great entertainment’ – Joja Wendt is charming, attentive, articulate and quick-witted, in a word: poised. A characteristic that not only his audience appreciates. He has reached the point, where his name is used synonymously with that of his instrument: Joja Wendt = Piano.
The fascination of the singing keys grips the boy before he can even pronounce his own name “Johan” correctly. The name remains “Joja” and he stayed with the piano. But what started as a game, quickly turns into an all encompassing part of his life.
The parents are not thrilled that their son plays until late into the night and thus the boy lets himself be locked into the music room of the school by the janitor – secretly, of course, and well provided with sandwiches and something to drink. Joja Wendt even misses his ‚A’ Level graduation party, because he is playing and he finally goes to study in Hilversum (Netherlands) and afterwards in New York at the Manhattan School of Music.
At least since their honeymoon his wife knows that she has serious competition. Four weeks on a dream of an island in the South China Sea, with one drawback: No keyboard to be found for miles around. Salvation comes in the form of a 5-star hotel at the other end of the island. That means several hours of marching through dense jungle, following a guide. And all that for a mediocre keyboard, but at least the honeymoon can continue.
Today Joja Wendt lives in Hamburg with his wife and two children; obviously his love of the piano has not harmed his marriage. After all, Joja Wendt is not a grim nerd, he can easily distance himself from his work. For recreation he reads about evolution biology and he has been playing table-tennis in Hamburg’s highest class to keep body and mind in tune. And if he wants more thrills, the passionate free rider takes his skis to the best powder snow runs on the planet.
Numerous concert tours have taken Joja Wendt around the world. From Germany and Europe to the stages of glittering metropolis’, such as New York’s Carnegie Hall as well as out-of-the-way corners like a small music school in the Siberian peninsula of Kamtschatka, of which he likes to tell in his concerts. He played with icons like Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry, played as support for Fats Domino and Joe Cocker on stage, hosted TV shows, composed the music for one of Germany’s most successful cinema film and currently is part of the jury for the ambitious children TV project “Your Song”, in which the composition of children have the chance of being performed by stars.
In the year 2006 “Steinway-Artist” Joja Wendt was on a world tour with the “Steinway Family Tour” for nearly 6 months and played in sold out concerts before enthusiastic audiences on 4 continents, in Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, the USA and Canada.
Joja Wendt has done, seen and played many things, but his thirst for more is still unquenched: Whether he plays incognito with a false beard and hair piece at small festivals, works on a virtuoso electronic project named ‘Classic Reloaded’ or plans rock versions of classical pieces with the help of an alternative band – he never seems to run out of ideas. Where does this drive come from? Joja Wendt shrugs and laughs his youthful laugh: “I simply love doing it. I am a pianist.”
Body & Soul
Inga Rumpf & Joja Wendt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul
I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
In Inga Rumpf & Joja Wendt's song "Body & Soul," the singer is expressing their deep longing and love for someone who they believe is ignoring their affections. The repeated line, "I'm all for you body and soul," emphasizes the singer's devotion to the desired person, as they feel that their entire being is dedicated to them. However, despite their intense feelings, the object of their affection seems to be rejecting any romantic advances, causing the singer to question why they are being ignored and placing all their hopes on having one more chance to prove their love.
The lyrics suggest a sense of desperation and sadness, as the singer's heart is "sad and lonely" and they spend their days "in longing." The line "My life a wreck you're making" highlights the impact that unrequited love can have on someone's emotional state. Yet despite the pain they are experiencing, the singer is willing to surrender themselves completely to the person they love - body and soul.
Overall, the song speaks to the all-consuming nature of love and the intensity of emotions it can stir up. It also captures the difficult experience of loving someone who may not feel the same way back and the desire to hold onto hope for a chance at love.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart is sad and lonely
I'm feeling blue and down without you
For you I sigh, for you dear only
You're the one I desire and long for
Why haven't you seen it
Can't you tell how much I care for you?
I'm all for you body and soul
I'm completely dedicated to you in every way
I spend my days in longing
Every day feels empty without you
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I can't understand why you're treating me like this
I tell you I mean it
I'm being honest with you
I'm all for you body and soul
I'm devoted to you entirely
I can't believe it
It's hard to accept
It's hard to conceive it
I can't imagine why this is happening
That you'd turn away romance
I never thought you would reject me
Are you pretending
Is this just an act on your part?
It looks like the ending
It seems like this is the last straw
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
If only I could show you how I feel once more
My life a wreck you're making
You're causing my life to fall apart
You know I'm yours for just the taking
You should know by now that I'm devoted to you
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I'd do anything for you if it meant winning your love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: PAUL MICHAEL BARRY, PHIL SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind