Best known as the longtime drummer for the influential German punk band Die Ärzte, Bela B. also enjoyed success as an actor and solo artist. He founded Die Ärzte in 1982 with singer/guitarist Farin Urlaub and bassist Hans Runge. Quickly emerging as a staple of the Berlin club circuit, the group soon appeared on the 20 Überschäumende Stimmungshits compilation, and after winning an amateur showcase spent their winnings on their 1983 debut EP, Uns Geht's Prima. In 2006, he issued his first-ever solo LP, Bingo, and guested on Lee Hazlewood's all-star swan song, Cake or Death. His 2009 album Code B featured a new backing band, Los Helmstedt, along with guitar legend Chris Spedding as a special guest.