German Composer Klaus Doldinger Dies at 89, Renowned for 'Das Boot' and 'Tatort' Themes

Klaus Doldinger, the acclaimed German jazz musician and composer, passed away at the age of 89. He was renowned for creating iconic soundtracks such as Wolfgang Petersen's submarine drama Das Boot and the fantasy classic The NeverEnding Story, as well as the theme for the long-running German TV series Tatort. Doldinger founded the influential jazz fusion band Passport, which toured internationally and released numerous albums over five decades. His innovative use of early synthesizers in Das Boot's score helped evoke the tension and atmosphere inside a World War II U-boat, with the title theme becoming a signature motif and later inspiring a popular techno remix. Born in Berlin in 1936, Doldinger was deeply influenced by jazz brought to Germany after World War II and sought to create music that defied authoritarian rhythms. He is survived by his wife, Inge, and their three children.