Background
Weikath was born in Hamburg, Germany and was musical from a very early age.
Weikath was born in Hamburg, Germany and was musical from a very early age.
As a four to five-year-old, he would lie in the grass, looking at the sky, and come up with melodies in his head The first album he owned was 1962-1966 by The Beatles. In 1974, Weikath started playing the guitar and later on began rehearsing with his friends.
He formed his first band, Powerfool, in 1978.
Prior to forming Helloween, he worked for a record mail order company. In 1982, he served heavy social duty as an alternative to military service.
The main bands that have had an influence on him are The Beatles, Deep Purple, Scorpions, unidentified flying object, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, the Sex Pistols, and Wishbone Ash. The guitarists that influenced him when he started playing were Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, Uli Jon Roth, and Eddie Van Halen.
He is one of only two original members still active in the band, the other being Markus Grosskopf.
Weikath integrated the first Helloween line up in 1982. By 1984, the band had signed a deal with Noise Records and recorded two songs for a Noise compilation record called Death Metal. On that album, he was responsible for the song "Oernst of Life."
In a 1998 interview with Weikath, Chaotic Critiques webzine pointed out the occasional spiritual themes and uplifting melodies on songs such as "Hey Lord!" and asked if the band was somewhat spiritual.
Weikath replied that all the band, except Uli Kusch, were Christian.
Weikath stated that he himself is Catholic. Today, he resides in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain.
Division and 1973 Marshall amplifier (50-watt)
Division and 1982 Marshall amplifier (100-watt)
Division ENGL amplifiers
DigiTech GSP1101 Guitar Multi Effects Processor
Vox AC30 Orange Overdrive amplifier
1990 Gibson Les Paul black
1990 Gibson Les Paul white
1990 Gibson Flying V white
Gibson Explorer custom black/white
1976 Gibson L6-South
1974/75/79 Fender Stratocasters
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
Like fellow Helloween guitarist Sascha Gerstner, Weikath is using a DigiTech GSP1101 preamp with a Marshall JVM410H amplifier for live performances.
Weikath is one of the founding members of Helloween, along with Kai Hansen (vocals/guitar), Markus Grosskopf (bass), and Ingo Schwichtenberg (drums).