“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 describes his band as wild, insane, crazy and glamorousIn 1975, Udo immortalized the group that had given him the album All clear on the Andrea Doria who helped to break through and catapulted German rock to success, in his first book Albert Nightmare to Votan MadnessThe band members are introduced with their respective instruments and names, with sometimes several people assigned to one instrument. The drawn figures serve more as stand-ins and have hardly any individualized facial features or characteristics. Things become more concrete with the release of the single. Kurt Richter Blues (1977), which Udo dedicated to the managing director of his record company on his 60th birthday. This first cover designed by Udo shows the TELDEC boss in his office, with Udo behind him, raising a toast to the viewers – 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. Mr. Meise at work (1979) Meysenbug stands before the blank canvas, a motif that Udo uses in a self-portrait of the Ten Commandments Repeated in 2005. The shared art and creativity are the link between the two and also repeatedly shine through in the 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 subtitles a 2006 work showing him with Nina Hagen. The famous line comes from Udo’s song. We just want to be together (girl from East Berlin) from 1973 and is linked to the almost legendary story of Udo's love for a girl from East Germany. Here, she is associated with Nina Hagen, who comes from East Berlin and with whom Udo maintains an artistic friendship. The picture shows the singer in her typical style of flamboyant and colorful outfits. Together with Udo, she released the song in 1992. Romeo & Juliet Out. Even their first encounter has 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 work, the two appear to be sitting in a romantic pose on a mountain, yet their opposing bodies and gazes hint at the individual paths they both confidently pursue.
This should not be the last time Udo brings duet partners to the screen.
Udo Lindenberg, Comet with Apache 207, 2023
The smash hit Comet (2023), a collaboration between Udo and Apache 207, continued 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 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 its mark is also a common thread.
A rendezvous with himself: Gerhard Spitzweg in the Spitzweg Room
Udo Lindenberg, Gerhard Spritzweg, 1996
Another person appears in Lindenberg's universe: the mysterious Gerhard Spritzweg. A friend of Udo's, an artist – who is this long-haired man whom Udo smiled at in the hotel? Atlantic A greeting? It's none other than Udo himself, the name inspired by his middle name, Gerhard. The 1996 picture shows Udo in an encounter with himself. In his hotel-living room, 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