“Like an old friend” – Udo’s companions in Panikcolor
28 December 2025Whether it's Meise, Kurt, or Nina: Udo Lindenberg's artistic oeuvre isn't just populated by topless women with champagne glasses or the artist himself in hats and sunglasses; friends and companions also naturally feature on the canvas of the painting panic rocker. Speaking of panic – in August 1973, the legendary Panikorchester (Panic Orchestra) was founded by Steffi Stephan, Gottfried Böttger, Peter Backhausen, Judith Hodosi, and Karl Allaut. The lineup changed several times in the following years, but the Panik sound remained. Udo described his band as wild , insane , crazy , and glamorous . In 1975, Udo immortalized the group, which helped him achieve his breakthrough with the album "Alles klar auf der Andrea Doria" (Everything's Clear on the Andrea Doria) and catapulted German rock to success, in his first book, "Albert Alptraum bis Votan Wahnwitz" (Albert Nightmare to Votan Madness ). The band members are introduced with their respective instruments and names, sometimes with several people assigned to a single instrument. The drawn figures serve more as stand-ins and exhibit hardly any individualized facial features or characteristics. This becomes more concrete with the single "Kurt Richter-Blues" (1977), which Udo dedicated to the managing director of his record company on his 60th birthday. This first cover drawn by Udo shows the TELDEC boss in his office, with Udo behind him, raising a toast to the viewer – a gesture that would become a recurring motif in his later works.
Single Kurt Richter Blues Cover, 1977
The family friend
Udo Lindenberg, Udo and Meise and Mr. Meise at work, both 1979
Various acquaintances, friends, and colleagues from show business are portrayed by Udo. A recurring motif is Udo's friend Alfred von Meysenbug, also known as Meise. The "family friend," as Udo calls him, can be seen on the yellowed pub notepad in various, sometimes curious, situations, such as having sex, in a brothel, or with Udo in his arms as a "dream couple." Meysenbug, an artist and figure in the 68 movement, worked closely with Udo in 1970s Hamburg and illustrated some of his record covers. He is also said to have been the impetus for the young Udo's political awakening. The portraits bear a striking resemblance to the depicted person: long hair, glasses, and a pointed nose. The close connection between the two artists is evident in the candid humor typical of a friendship, which is prominently displayed in many of the drawings. In Herr Meise at Work (1979), Meysenbug stands before a blank canvas, a motif that Udo repeats in a self-portrait of the Ten Commandments in 2005. Their shared art and creativity are the link between the two and repeatedly shine through in their otherwise rather humorous drawings.
From Nina Hagen to Apache: In Music and Color
Udo Lindenberg, We Just Want to Be Together II, 2006
“…we just want to be together,” Udo captioned a 2006 artwork depicting him with Nina Hagen. The well-known line comes from Udo’s 1973 song “ Wir wollen doch einfach nur zusammen sein (Mädchen aus Ost-Berlin)” (We Just Want to Be Together (Girl from East Berlin)) and is linked to the almost legendary story of Udo’s love for a girl from East Germany. Here, she is connected to Nina Hagen, who comes from East Berlin and with whom Udo maintains an artistic friendship. The image shows the singer in her typical style of flamboyant and colorful outfits. Together with Udo, she released the song “Romeo & Juliaaah” in 1992. Their first meeting has also achieved legendary status: they are said to have met in Wolf Biermann’s apartment, the young Nina Hagen confidently proclaiming, “Look at me, I’m going to be a big star someday.” In Udo’s artwork, the two appear to be sitting romantically on a mountain, but their opposing bodies and gazes suggest the individual paths they both confidently pursued.
This should not be the last time Udo brings duet partners to the screen.
Udo Lindenberg, Comet with Apache 207, 2023
The smash hit "Komet" (2023), a collaboration between Udo and Apache 207, was further developed that same year with a paintbrush. Udo created several paintings depicting him and the rapper arm in arm in front of a comet. The peaceful yet monumentally charged setting, rendered in vibrant turquoise tones, perfectly reflects the song's message. A shared desire for a life that leaves its mark on world history and leaves a lasting legacy is also a common thread.
A rendezvous with himself: Gerhard Spitzweg in the Spitzweg Room
Udo Lindenberg, Gerhard Spritzweg, 1996
Another figure appears in Lindenberg's universe: the mysterious Gerhard Spritzweg. A friend of Udo's, an artist – who is this long-haired man whom Udo greets with a smile at the Hotel Atlantic ? It is none other than Udo himself, the name inspired by his middle name, Gerhard. The 1996 photograph shows Udo in an encounter with himself. In his hotel, Udo spends time, among other places, in the Spitzweg Room, named after the painter Carl Spitzweg – hence, presumably, the surname of his alter ego. The friendly meeting of the two Udos proves: the most important relationship in your life is the one with yourself!
Lena Elster
General