How it all started
Our Mission
At Otherwise Happiness, we strive to create unique music experiences that resonate with your soul. Our goal is to empower artists and elevate their sound through professional music production services.
How it all started
The Tombstones: A School Band from Benrath/Düsseldorf, 1967–1972
1. Home
Band name, years active, one-line tagline
Hero photo (drum kit or band shot)
Short intro: a school band from Düsseldorf-Benrath, five performances, one record
Navigation to the sections below
2. Our Story (Timeline)
1967: Jörg receives a drum kit from his parents (age 12)
1968: Ralf joins as drummer and the first "Tombstones" lettering goes on the bass drum
Mike joins with a Dynacord amplifier and red electric guitar; Jörg's semi-acoustic guitar becomes a bass
Trio phase
Stefan joins on keyboard with a self-built tube amplifier
Busche joins with old tube radios and a tape recorder
c. 1969: first performance at Jörg's birthday party
1 Aug 1969: Ulrich joins the class and, later, the band
1970: Wersten parish hall
Later: recording of the record
Final show at the Fern dance school prom
1971: dissolution before the Abitur
3. Band Members
One card per person: Jörg, Ralf, Mike, Stefan, Busche, Michael, Ulrich
Role/instrument, years in the band, a quote or memory from each
Note on the Michael/Ulrich lineup change
4. Gear & Sound
Drum kit with bass drum lettering
Dynacord amplifier and red guitar
Converted semi-acoustic bass
Self-built tube amplifier
Old tube radios and tape recorder as instruments
Jörg's parents' stereo system with brown amplifier
5. Performances
List/map of the five shows: Brucknerstrasse rehearsal room, Wersten parish hall (1970), TSG Benrath clubhouse party, school party at Arndtsaal (Dankeskirche, Benrath), Fern dance school prom, Düsseldorf
Space for photos and memories per venue
6. The Record
Track: "Otherwise Happiness"
Played in the jukebox of the Milchbar in Benrath
Note that only Michael played bass on the recording
Newspaper clipping and the correction crediting Michael
Audio player, if a digitised copy exists
Welcome to Our World
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