Dagmar Krause is a German singer born on June 4, 1950, in Hamburg, West Germany. She is renowned for her distinctive voice and contributions to avant-rock groups such as Slapp Happy, Henry Cow, and Art Bears. Krause’s career began at the tender age of 14, performing in clubs on Hamburg’s Reeperbahn. In 1968, she joined the City Preachers, a contemporary folk/protest group, and contributed to their album “Der Kürbis, das Transportproblem und die Traumtänzer.”
Krause’s international career took off when she formed Slapp Happy in 1972 with Anthony Moore and Peter Blegvad. The group was known for its “naive rock” style, blending simple pop structures with complex lyrics. They recorded two albums in Germany before moving to London, where they re-recorded their album “Acnalbasac Noom” under the title “Slapp Happy.”
In 1974, Slapp Happy merged with Henry Cow, but differences in approach led to the dissolution of the merger. Despite this, Krause continued to work with various avant-garde and experimental music projects, including Art Bears. She also gained recognition for her interpretations of songs by Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill, and Hanns Eisler, further establishing her as a unique and influential figure in the music world.
