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Ingo Schwichtenberg
Background information
Born	18 May 1965(1965-05-18)
Origin	Germany
Died	8 March 1995 (aged 29)
Genres	Power metal Speed metal Heavy Metal
Occupations	Drummer
Instruments	drums
Years active	1978-1993
Associated acts	Helloween
Website	http://www.ingo-schwichtenberg.com/

Ingo Schwichtenberg (18 May 1965 - 8 March 1995) was one of the founding members of German power metal band Helloween and was famous for his high-energy drumming and ear-to-ear smile. His driving rhythm and proficiency on the drums has been imitated by many power metal bands throughout the 1990s to present.

Schwichtenberg was ejected from the band in 1993 during the tour of the album Chameleon. The dismissal was reportedly due to Ingo's dependence on alcohol and drugs (most notably cocaine and hashish). Ingo also suffered from schizophrenia, and his refusal to take his medication would lead to bizarre episodes such as uncontrollable sobbing, which made it impossible for him to take the stage. Schwichtenberg was apparently somewhat dissatisfied with the direction of the band as well, and especially did not care for the song "Windmill" (to which he referred to as "Shitmill" according to band member Michael Weikath) from the Chameleon album.

After his ejection from the band, Schwichtenberg slid further and further into his schizophrenic episodes, culminating in his suicide in 1995,^[1] by jumping in front of a subway train. Schwichtenberg's replacement in the band was Uli Kusch.

Discography

with Helloween

• Helloween (1985)
• Walls of Jericho (1985)
• Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 (1987)
• Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2 (1988)
• Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991)
• Chameleon (1993)

References

1. ^ Webster, Tony (2007-10-23). "Gambling With The Devil". http://www.helloween.org/band/history.html. Retrieved 30 April 2009.  

External links

• Ingo-Memory-Page - a website dedicated to the memory of Ingo Schwichtenberg
• Official Helloween site