"Peppermint Prince" Westernhagen turns 75

Musing on 75 years of "Peppermint Prince" Westernhagen

The "Peppermint Prince" nickname and "Freedom" mantra resonate with the name Marius Müller-Westernhagen. Known for his snotty rocker persona as well as his love for blues in the pub and ballads, the artist's life is due for a fresh number. This Wednesday, December 6, the musician and actor celebrates his 75th birthday.

Even successful tunes don't escape Westernhagen's scrutiny. For his upcoming tour next year, he dons a creative hat, reimagining even his beloved hits. "There will always be new things," the musician told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur in Berlin. "There will always be the will to be creative with the old songs and make them interesting for us and for the audience. I would never let that be taken away from me."

For the Love of Acting

Born in Düsseldorf, the son of actor Hans Müller-Westernhagen, Marius Müller-Westernhagen discovered acting before his love for music. By the end of the '80s, the actor had graced the stage in dozens of productions. He earned widespread recognition as a long-distance Ruhrpott patterer in "Theo against the Rest of the World" (1980).

Music Strides In

The music scene began to call Westernhagen's name in the second half of the '60s. Describing his early beginnings in "Mit 18," the musician recalls, "The guitars were out of tune, but it was a blast, we thought we were geniuses." The debut album "Das erste Mal" received little recognition in 1975. That changed in 1978 with the release of "Mit Pfefferminz bin ich dein Prinz," kicking off a long music career.

Career Highs and Lows

In the '90s, Westernhagen proved his prowess in lyrics and music with albums like "Westernhagen", "Halleluja", "JaJa", "Affentheater", and "Radio Maria". The era marked an uptick in his popularity, filling soccer stadiums with crowds chanting "Freiheit" alongside him. Some critics considered it a shift, calling him an "Armani rocker."

As the pressure mounted, Westernhagen sought solace in taking a break to "think and reflect." Describing this phase in his life, the artist admits, "Life is a series of mistakes. You have to learn from them, reflect, face up to them, and grow."

A Musical Evolution

Over the years, Westernhagen released relatively successful albums such as "In den Wahnsinn" and "Nahaufnahme." His most recent admission is "Das eine Leben," which he will commemorate in 2022.

In celebration of his 75th birthday, Westernhagen has released a music box set, "Westernhagen 75," including remastered originals, studio versions, and new interpretations of the "Pfefferminz Experiment." The reinterpreted version of "Dicke" is the result of a spontaneous practice room recording, a version Westernhagen cherishes for its novelty.

The Future of Westernhagen

While Westernhagen turns 75, he remains eager to continue his musical pursuit, maintaining his physical and mental fitness. Although he acknowledges that the future is uncertain, the artist plans to embark on a tour in 2023, performing old favorites with newfound zest.

Next year will see the artist perform around 20 concerts, revisiting memorable songs that have shaped fans' lives. In true entertainment fashion, Westernhagen confirms, "If they want to hear 'Sexy,' then I want to sing 'Sexy.'"[Redacted]

Additional Insights:

Marius Müller-Westernhagen will feature in the "Weitersagen - Die Westernhagen-Show" in Berlin, hinting at more performances behind the 75th birthday tour.