Heino

Jello Biafra used to say that Heino, in bleached-blonde hair and sunglasses, was the original punk rocker. The liners to some Heino albums, however, reassure fans that the deep baritone has resisted commercial pressure to sing hard rock. What is punk about Heino, besides Dead Kennedys' courageous act of spinning his LPs before their concerts, is that he existed in post-War Germany at all. His popularity and number of albums is staggering. Hausfrau as far removed even as San Francisco, for instance, reportedly have treated Heino like Tom Jones in his heyday.

Rigidly stiff in his natty, mod threads (turtlenecks and blazers), Heino comes across as a poster boy for Germany at its creepiest. Beneath the sinister shades his eyes stare ahead two different ways, and no amount of heartfelt sincerity can make him sound anything like a typical [non-German] folksinger. Though accused of appealing to war criminals in an abundance of South American songs, Heino probably is not the decadent monster one might believe him to be. Still, he is exceedingly creepy, and therein lies the appeal.

Heino's full act can be appreciated in old television clips (Canadian TV is a North American source). Also appearing on many of his records and in some clips are the Botho Lucas Choir. One clip from a WFMU compilation shows them to be equally astounding. And you can bet that Heino has his share of imitators, including film star "Freddy," who on at least one LP replicates the Heino-as-cowboy.

Buying: When not marching in step to the music of his forebears, Heino is a one-man international tour. Names of countries provide a tip-off to his juiciest stuff. Hit themes include cowboys, Mexico, sailors, Hawaii, the Orient, and drinking (usually whiskey). There may be just one wacky track per album, but that is plenty.