It is sad to say, I know, but yes it is true. Klaus during his 'lost fornight' was led somewhat astray by unruly characters. I think it was that at the time he was most absorbed in his work and needed relief but it was not light relief to the shame of his friends.

In 1974 after much attention from his art movie music he became friends with James Last and things went downward in spiral from that point upwards. James had a fondness for women and armagnac and was often volatile in moods. He had a gang who followed him about parties in Europe which had the members of Brian Eno and Robert Fripp who were dangerous men to know at this time.

It is a famous story that they were asked to leave a hotel in Vienna after they painted the keys of the grand piano in their suite. But other outrageous behaviour was also happening especially when Peter Gabriel also became involved. One of Brian Eno's favourite games was to drive fast through cities and ignore the roundabouts. Usually they went over them and a time was when Klaus, James Last and Brain Eno took a Fiat hotwired by Robert Fripp and drove it through L'arc de Triomphe at 110kph with Klaus hanging from the window screaming and laughing. Not funny. A street mime artist was almost injured.

But it is rare that these stories are heard as James Last has connections with the mafia and even as I write these recollection I am in mind of my own safety. Now I stop as Pupu is worried.

Peace,

Jan Sink

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