Dirkschneider / U.D.O. announce temporary guitarist who appears to be Stefan Kaufmann
Dirkschneider / U.D.O. announce temporary guitarist who appears to be Stefan Kaufmann
Following the departure of guitarist Bill Hudson last month, the groups Dirkschneider and U.D.O. fronted by former Accept singer Udo Dirkschneider have been trying to find a replacement and have now landed a temporary replacement until October 19, 2018. Based on the photo below, it appears that the temporary replacement guitarist is none other than former Accept drummer and ex-U.D.O. guitarist Stefan Kaufmann.
The following message was posted on Dirkschneider‘s Facebook page earlier today (with slight edits):
“Dirkschneider/U.D.O. has found a Guitarist to stand in for the upcoming 2018 Festival Shows!
He knows all of the Songs extremely well, and will be with us for all the shows (Both U.D.O. and Dirkschneider) through to October 19th 2018. More details about this Very Good Friend soon……
Meanwhile the Band is trying out several different Guitarists in the rehearsal studio, and is very optimistic to be able to announce a permanent replacement sometime during the summer of 2018.
The new U.D.O. Album release is scheduled for August 31st 2018, and the first U.D.O. Tourdates for the end of 2018 will be announced soon!
For all upcoming shows go to www.udo-online.com”
Wikipedia states the following about Kaufmann (with slight edits): “He joined Accept as drummer early enough to appear on the cover photos for their debut, but too late to record the drums for the album (that was done by Frank Friedrich). After drumming on nine albums he had to give up drumming towards the end of Accept‘s career due to health problems.
Kaufmann has produced the live albums Staying a Life and All Areas – Worldwide for Accept and contributed significantly to Accept‘s songwriting. He has worked extensively as a record producer for other bands. He produced or co-produced every U.D.O. album from 1990 until 2011.
Stefan Kaufmann joined Accept‘s singer Udo Dirkschneider in his band U.D.O. as guitar player in 1996, following Accept‘s second breakup, and has recorded seven albums with them. On 13 September 2012, it was announced that Kaufman has ceased playing in U.D.O. for health reasons, though he will continue to work with the band in other capacities.
During his tenure with Accept, Kaufmann used Tama drums. He was also one of the first drummers to use Meinl cymbals when they became widely manufactured and sold in the late 1970s.”