Eberhard Kranemann

German Experimental Music Pioneer and Multi-Instrumentalist

Fritz Müller is one of the most innovative musicians of the German Rock scene. Born 1945 as Eberhard Kranemann in Germany, he studied classical double bass at the Dortmund Conservatory, playing Bach/Mozart/Telemann-orchestra music and with Jazz bands. Then he went to Düsseldorf to study painting at the Arts Academy. Besides experimenting with colours and painting abstract pictures, he experimented with sounds, at first on cello, clarinet, tenorsaxophone, electric guitar, hawaii guitar, later with electronic instruments. In 1967, with other art students he founded the experimental music group Pissoff. Critical about the social development in Germany and the conservative rollback round about, the band demolished the established rules of music. In their concerts they played free improvised music for three hours non-stop, everyone playing as loud as possible - without harmony, avoiding correct pitch, defined structures and norms - and people liked it. Pure freedom. Chaos. Acoustic terror. Joseph Beuys, professor at the Düsseldorf Art Academy, was so enthusiastic that he initiated a performance with Pissoff in Düsseldorf´s famous Creamcheese Club, Frank Zappa's favourite club in Germany. At this time Florian Schneider heard the sound of the group and joined the band, becoming a friend of Eberhard Kranemann. After four years of collaboration he began to work with Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother in the band Neu!. Later on he invented for himself the stage personality Fritz Müller, working as a solo artist in concerts and recording at the Conny Plank studio in Wolperath. He formed the FRITZ MUELLER BAND, did concert tours, more studio work, radio and television appearances... Eberhard Kranemann / Fritz Mueller is still working as artist and musician - doing avantgarde concert / art exhibitions / performances.