by Evan C. GutierrezMarius Westernhagen was born on December 6, 1948. His father, Hans Müller Westernhagen, was an actor, and guided young Marius toward a life in theatrical performance. When his father died at the age of 44, Marius was still in his early teens and well on his way to a successful film career. His first taste of public recognition came with the 1979 film Theo Gegen den Rest der Welt. His role as a disgruntled truck driver brought him to the public's attention, which he used as a catalyst to build upon what had previously been only modest musical pursuits -- he had played rhythm guitar and harmonica and sung in groups around his native Düsseldorf, but his recordings and live performances only elevated him to the level of a minor cult figure. Mit Pfefferminz Bin Ich Dein Prinz, Westernhagen's debut, built upon his silver-screen success, and went gold after three years on the market. Two more records followed: Sekt Oder Selters (...