The Puhdys were a veteran German rock band, formed in Oranienburg (Brandenburg), GDR, in 1969, although by then they had been performing together—with various lineups—as the Puhdys since 1965. Although they are especially popular in their native eastern Germany, the Puhdys enjoyed significant success outside the GDR, and were one of the first East German bands allowed to tour West Germany. They are one of the most successful German-language rock groups. 　　In 2003, the group recorded Undercover, an album of cover versions of East German rock songs, at the suggestion of their manager Rolf Henning. It was the first time the Puhdys had attempted to cover an Ostrock tune since their version of Lift's "Wasser und Wein" (Water and Wine) on Schattenreiter 22 years previously. Although the album garnered stronger than usual media coverage in western Germany, some fans were critical of what they saw as unadventurous song choices; most of the tracks (such as Karat's "Über sieben Brücken" and Silly's "Battaillon d'Amour") were each artist's biggest hit. 　　The same year, Birr became seriously ill after contracting Lyme disease from a tick bite; after he recovered, the Puhdys resumed their heavy touring schedule. He composed all of the tracks for the band's 2005 CD, Alles hat seine Zeit (Everything Has Its Time); it was claimed that the cover picture, which depicted Birr at the center with the other bandmembers with their backs to the camera, had caused friction within the band.