Thomas Dinger

Thomas Dinger (28 October 1952 — 9 April 2002) was a German drummer, singer and songwriter who was active in solo pursuits in addition to having been a member of Neu! and La Düsseldorf, both with his brother Klaus Dinger, and 1-A Düsseldorf.

Biography Neu! and La Düsseldorf Alongside Hans Lampe, Thomas Dinger performed percussions on the second side of the third album, recorded by the Krautrock band Neu!. After Neu! disbanded Dinger co-formed La Düsseldorf, along with his brother Klaus Dinger, Harald Konietzko, and Hans Lampe. Thomas Dinger took parted in the recording sessions for the albums La Düsseldorf album (1976) and Viva (1978), playing percussion and performing vocal parts. Thomas, however, quit the band during the production of Viva, "tired of quarreling endlessly with his imperious brother Klaus", and "promptly set off for the south of France".

Solo album and reception In 1982 he released his only solo album, Für Mich, which according to a press release by Bureau B, was "imbued with the spirit of La Düsseldorf, yet more measured and melancholic, redolent of the music of Michael Rother or Wolfgang Riechmann".

Hans Lampe fondly recalled the sessions with Dinger, saying: "There was a large balcony to the rear of Thomas's apartment, looking onto a vast, overgrown courtyard. A little park, a verdant oasis in the big city. We sat here often, listening to music, working on the LP and musing on life. Thomas and I complemented each other marvellously, bouncing ideas off each other. Our understanding was so great, the mood was so deep and heartfelt, we thoroughly enjoyed working together."

Later career Thomas reunited with his brother on the La! NEU? album Goldregen (1998), recorded in two sessions occurred in 1994 and in March 1995.

Thomas Dinger died in 2002 at the age of 49. On 3 August 2013, Bureau B reissued Für Mich in both CD and LP formats.

Discography Solo albums (as Thomas Dinger) Für Mich (1982)

with Neu! Neu! '75 (1975)

with La Düsseldorf La Düsseldorf (1976) Viva (1978) Individuellos (1981)

with La! NEU? Goldregen (1998)

with 1-A Düsseldorf Fettleber (1999) Königreich Bilk (1999) D.J.F.(2000) Live (2001) Pyramidblau (2003, memorial album recorded by his bandmates)