A conversation with Inga Rumpf on her 80th birthday: I don't hear music at all anymore, not even in the car

Inga Rumpf, a German musician known for her work with bands such as Frumpy and Atlantis, will turn 80 on August 2. In a recent interview, she reflected on her life and career, revealing that she no longer listens to music, even in the car. She has been actively organizing and digitizing her personal archive, sorting through what can be discarded and what should remain. This process has allowed her to move fluidly between past, present, and future, creating new works from old material. Rumpf, who grew up in Hamburg and now resides in the Wesermarsch, has spent decades in the music industry. Born in 1946 to a sailor and a seamstress, she documented her life in her 2022 autobiography „Darf ich was vorsingen?“ Her career includes stints with groups like Die City Preachers, Frumpy, and Atlantis, followed by solo projects. She received accolades including the German Blues Award and continues to perform, with a concert scheduled at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg on September 13. The conversation turned to a memorable experience in 1988 when Rumpf collaborated with British rock legends Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood in London. The encounter began through a local music community, where musicians would gather and share their work. Richards reportedly discovered Rumpf’s songs via Robert Palmer, who had initially planned to produce one of her albums. He then invited her to collaborate, with Richards and Wood traveling from France for a session. They brought two bottles of whisky each, while Rumpf received a case of Bavarian beer. Despite the excitement of working with the legendary duo, Rumpf described the moment as less thrilling once they actually jammed together. She emphasized the camaraderie among artists, noting that they were all colleagues. However, she expressed deep admiration for Richards, whom she considers a hero. While she admired the Beatles, she found the Rolling Stones more compelling, particularly their ability to create great music from minimal resources. She praised Richards' innovative riffs and the synergy between his playing and Mick Jagger's vocal style and stage presence. When asked if she missed Mick Jagger during the session, Rumpf humorously replied that both were born under the sign of Leo, which might have made their interactions challenging. She admitted to purchasing the band’s latest album „Foreign Tongues“, though she found its tracks only somewhat interesting. She confessed to being a devoted fan of the band’s early work, stating that the newer songs lacked the spark that defined the group’s classic recordings. With the vast amount of available music today, she admits she has little interest in listening to everything, even though she still holds a deep appreciation for the art form. Rumpf acknowledges that the abundance of music has altered how people engage with it, yet she maintains a respectful stance toward the craft. Her reflections offer insight into the evolving relationship between artists and their audiences, as well as the personal journey of someone who has dedicated much of her life to music. As she prepares for her 80th birthday, she continues to navigate the intersection of memory, creativity, and legacy.