 He was also a member of the NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk, or North German Radio) big band, the Alfred Hause tango orchestra and the Bert Kaempfert orchestra.An accomplished keyboard, accordion and xylophone player, he formed an accordion duet group called The Pop Kids with fellow Last bandmate Harald Ende.His work with James Last featured his unique improvised piano phrases, which drew on jazz, blues and rock influences and were played with a distinctively dry staccato tone.