Helge Schneider reigned among the most popular German comedians of his generation, even topping the pop charts with his novelty smash "Katzeklo." Born August 30, 1955, in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Schneider dropped out of high school serve as an apprentice draftsman, but quickly reversed course to study piano at the Duisburg Conservatoire. After launching his performing career playing jazz in local nighclubs and cabarets, he turned to standup, often incorporating his musical education into his routines. Schneider's broad, patently absurdist persona embraced elements of slapstick, p...