Malte Pittner, co-founder of the band Deichkind and later guitarist with Texas Lightning, has died after a long illness. His former band shared the sad news on Instagram, offering condolences to his family and close friends.
Malte Pittner was an influential figure in the German music scene. He co-founded the Hamburg-based group Deichkind in 1997, which gained nationwide fame through festival appearances like Rock am Ring in the summer of 2000. Pittner significantly shaped the albums 'Bitte ziehen Sie durch' and 'Noch 5 Minuten Mutti'. He contributed to hits such as 'Remmidemmi (Yippie Yippie Yeah)' from their third album in 2006.
In 2006, he left Deichkind due to personal conflicts. After a few years' break, he joined the country band Texas Lightning as guitarist and singer, alongside Olli Dittrich. The group represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens that year with 'No, No, Never'. From autumn 2009, Pittner replaced guitarist Jon Flemming Olsen and performed as an opening act for artists like Kenny Rogers.
A few years ago, he withdrew from the public eye. Deichkind praised him as a 'genius musician, entertainer, and incredibly talented songwriter and lyricist'. The band bid him farewell with: 'We wish you, dear Malte, all the best on your final journey. Rest in peace.'
