Mixing schlager with pop and an array of other styles, cult German band Bläck Föös ("barefoot" in Cologne dialect) acquired their name for their early style of performance that saw the group forgo shoes and shoes. Forming in Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen in 1970, Bläck Föös—led by frontman Tommy Engel—initially came together as a beat band at the Cologne carnival, playing cover versions of songs by the Beatles, the Hollies and the Kinks at the carnival sessions, and went on to become one of the successful Cologne dialect music groups in Germany. They released their debut single "Rievkooche-Walzer" in October 1970 on leading German label Electrola, but only sold 2,000 copies, forcing the label to cut ties. An ode to the festive spirit of the carnival, "Drink doch eine met" ("Have a mead") arrived the following year, produced by lauded German hit-maker Heinz Gietz and released via his own Cornet Records. In 1973, composer and lyricist Hans Knipp gave the group their biggest hit via the carnival anthem "Mer losse d'r Dom en Kölle," which also seemingly doubled up as a homage to Cologne Cathedral. That same year they were hired to perform the theme song to the animated series Wickie and the Strong Men. In 1974, Cornet Records produced two successful LPs with Bläck Fööss: 1974's Op bläcke Fööss noh Kölle and 1975's Lück wie ich un du. By 1976, Electrola were knocking at their door again and a string of albums followed, with Werner Dies serving as the group's producer from 1973 until his death in 2003. In August 1985, the band scored their commercial breakthrough with the song "Frankreich, Frankreich" (France, France), which went to number nine in Germany. The group continued to put out records over the next three-plus decades, releasing 5Ö - The Anniversary Album in 2020 and a live album two years later, 50+2 – Like earlier – only later – Live from Roncalliplatz. In their fifty years of existence, Bläck Fööss—who have always taken a stance against xenophobia, playing concerts in protest of right-wing violence (Arsch huh, Zäng ussenander)—have only had a few changes in personnel, with the biggest change happening in 1994 when frontman Tommy Engel quit over so-called creative differences and went on to pursue a solo career. In October 2022, Bläck Föös announced the departure of the last two founding members, Erry Stoklosa and "Bömmel" Lückerath, who waved goodbye at a Bläck Fööss New Year's Eve concert in the Lanxess Arena.
