LINE UP Peter Burtz (vocals), Axel Rudi Pell (guitar), Thomas Eder (guitar), Volker Krawczak (bass), Jan Yildaral (drums)
STEELER emerged during a particularly golden period in the history of German Metal and would provide a worthy legacy of some finely crafted Metal albums and provide the launch pad for noted guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL. Formed in Bochum, STEELER had originally used the name SINNER, and the band was put together by guitarist Axel Rudi Pell and bassist Volker Krawczak.
Pell joined his first band at the age of 14 between 1974 and 1975 with whom he took his first tentative steps. The band, a school outfit called SILVER STONES, at least taught Pell the art of tuning a guitar, evolving into FIREBIRD. With the group splitting in 1976 Pell took a hiatus from music until joining a local act called MERCY and, subsequently, DEVIL'S DEATH, with whom he proceeded to play the regional school and club circuits.
Having formed STEELER with Krawczak, the duo recruited FALLEN ANGEL guitarist Thomas Eder and a drummer in Siggi Wiesemöller. The fledgling group recorded their first demo during 1982, utilizing the services of vocalist Karl Holthaus, on loan from local act NEMO (although he had also been known to have fronted a group called GLADIATOR).
STEELER took the demos to SCORPIONS producer Dieter Dierks who chose not to pursue his original interest in the band, although the tape fell into the hands of ACCEPT who were having problems with Udo Dirkschneider at the time and were covertly auditioning possible replacements. ACCEPT auditioned Holthaus, but eventually settled their differences with Dirkschneider without the press getting wind of the original problem...
Source: http://www.rockdetector.com