Schorsch Hampel

Schorsch Hampel – The Bavarian Blues-Poet

Born in 1953 in Munich, raised under the watchful eye of a Prussian civil servant and his Bavarian wife – a mix that builds character. At 13, he picked up his first guitar, played his first riff ("Satisfaction"), and from then on, there was no turning back. The blues had found him – even if he was repeatedly pulled away by life’s practicalities: working as a railwayman, taxi driver, therapist, orchestra assistant... just to name a few.

An unfinished degree in political science, training in transactional analysis and psychotherapy – an honest attempt to get some kind of proper education. The result? Still open to interpretation.

His musical skills were shaped intuitively, self-taught, and honed by deep listening to his heroes: Peter Green, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor on guitar; Dylan, John Hiatt, and Neil Young as songwriters. And of course, the blues – raw and real – from Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon. More life than lesson.

The return to the Bavarian dialect came late – but with conviction. After surviving a heart attack, Schorsch made a clear decision: no more artistic compromises. For over a decade, he fronted “Schorsch & de Bagasch”, delivering uncompromising Bavarian blues. Since 2015, his solo program “Sog gscheid” ("Say it straight") has continued that journey – honest, poetic, and unmistakably grounded.

Schorsch Hampel has long since been unmarried, probably has no children, prefers Coke Light, has a weakness for sweets, and still smokes. A true Munich blues-grumbler – with heart, grit, and a sharp sense for life’s bitter and sweet notes.