Bertram Engel is considered one of Germany’s best drummers – according to Bruce Springsteen, he’s even among the best in the world. For almost five decades, he has been a defining figure in the German music scene as a permanent member of Udo Lindenberg’s and Peter Maffay’s bands. Engel has played on more than 50 chart-defining albums and nearly 100 studio productions.

As early as 1976, at just 17 years old, he was hired by Udo Lindenberg as the drummer for the legendary Panikorchester – a turning point that paved the way for the young musician to become a German rock icon. Shortly afterwards, Peter Maffay also brought him into his band. Since then, Engel says he has maintained “two parallel long-term relationships” with both superstars of the German music scene. Many of the songs he wrote for Udo Lindenberg and Peter Maffay have become classics of German music history.

Bertram Engel’s musical career extends far beyond Germany. He has played with international stars such as Bruce Springsteen, Joe Cocker, Eric Burdon, Robert Palmer, and Jimmy Barnes. His guest appearances in Bruce Springsteen’s video “Hungry Heart” and on the bootleg album “Secret Berlin Night” attest to his international acclaim. As a drummer, composer, and producer, he has made a significant contribution to the creation of iconic songs in German music history.

His autobiography, “I Don’t Play with Old Men,” was published in 2024 and immediately landed on the Spiegel bestseller list.

Bertram is appearing in association with DW Drums, Sabian, Remo and Rohema.