Didn’t Hansi Lang leave a lasting impression on Vienna? Here we stand before a memorial to Hansi Lang. This is a plaque commemorating the life and work of Hansi Lang. It stands in front of the house where he spent his childhood. The Hansi Lang Plaque is located at Kalvarienberggasse 56. It is in Vienna’s 17th district.
Hansi Lang was a singer, composer, and actor. He was born on January 13, 1955 and died on August 24, 2008. The Hansi Lang Plaque was likely erected in 2011 to honor him. The inscription reads “Keine Angst” which means “No Fear”.
The Hansi Lang Plaque marks the house where Hansi Lang spent his early years. He became an icon of the New Wave generation. This was thanks to his legendary songs. “Keine Angst” and “Ich spiele Leben” are among them.
Later in life Hansi Lang was highly praised as a theater actor. He had successful music projects like “The Slow Club”. “Die Bucht von Wien” was another successful project. In 2006, he was awarded the Goldenes Verdienstzeichen des Landes Wien. This is a prestigious award from the city of Vienna. The plaque also quotes Hansi Lang: “Man weiß nicht wie viel Liebe man hat bevor man sie verschenkt”. This translates to: “You don’t know how much love you have until you give it away”.
Hansi Lang’s life began in Wien-Hernals. His father was an American occupation officer. His mother was Bohemian. For a time, the family lived on a US Army base in France. They returned to Vienna in 1961.
Hansi Lang’s musical journey started early. At 13 he played drums in an amateur band. He soon discovered his talent for singing. In 1970, he joined “Plastic Drug”. Two years later he moved to “Lord Proof and the Proofcats”.
To avoid military service, Hansi Lang toured Holland. He was the lead singer of “Nostradamus”. Later, he lived in a commune in Freiburg, Germany. He made a living selling enamel jewelry.
In 1975, Hansi Lang returned to Vienna. He joined the “Hallucination Company”. He stayed with them until 1979. He also contributed to Harri Stojka’s LP. In 1980, Hansi Lang began his solo career. His first LP “Keine Angst” came out in 1982. His second “Der Taucher” followed soon after. He continued to perform with the “Hallucination Company”.
Hansi Lang’s interests expanded to literature and acting. He appeared in two films. These were “Ich oder du” and “Wiener Brut”. Health issues caused him to take a break from 1986 to 1989. Afterwards, he recorded some songs in English.
From 1990 to 1992, Hansi Lang acted in Viennese theaters. He was in “Männerschmerzen” and “Wiener Lust”. He then joined the Theater in der Josefstadt. He performed in “Tingel-Tangel” and “Außer Kontrolle”. He also composed the music for “Außer Kontrolle”.
In 1993, Hansi Lang resumed his singing career with the CD “Losgeher”. He participated in the “Dynamo-Donau-Blues” at the Donaufestival. His autobiography “Das Leben fängt am Montag an” was also published that year. He rejoined the “Hallucination Company” for three years. In 1997, he performed at the Donauinselfest. He also played in “Mephisto Maria” in Graz.
In 2000, Hansi Lang played Citizen Kain in the “F@lco Cyber Show”. Inspired by the musical’s technology, he built his own home studio. In 2002, he appeared in the “Trautmann” crime series and “Kommissar Rex”. He also performed in “Dreigroschenoper”. In 2003, he sold his song “One Heart” to Starmania.
Hansi Lang died in Vienna on August 24, 2008 after suffering a stroke. In 2019, a municipal building was named after him. It is now called Hansi-Lang-Hof.
The Hansi Lang Plaque stands as a reminder of his impact. His music continues to resonate. He remains a beloved figure in Vienna’s cultural history.