Zupfgeigenhansel, a German folk duo, was founded by Erich Schmeckenbecher and Thomas Friz. The group took its name from the Wandervogel songbook Der Zupfgeigenhansl. Initially performing as street musicians, they gained traction in various folk clubs across South Germany. Their breakthrough came with the release of their first LP, Volkslieder I, in 1976, followed by Volkslieder II in 1977. In 1978, they received the Deutsche Phonoakademie's Künstler des Jahres award and published their first songbook. Their 1979 album Jiddische Lieder ('ch Hob Gehert Sogn) significantly influenced the Klezmer movement in Germany. Internal disputes led to their disbandment in 1986. In 2021, they reunited for a 50th-anniversary project, Miteinander: 50 Jahre – 70 Lieder, which was released the following year and included previously unreleased material. Around the same time, the group earned several IMPALA Awards for their first five albums. Thomas Friz passed away in August 2023 at the age of 73.
