Wolfgang "Wolle" Petry (born 22 September 1951[1] as Franz Hubert Wolfgang Remling) is a German schlager musician and songwriter from Cologne, Germany. In 1997, he was named the leading German language musician in terms of chart figures for the year, with his most successful album Alles.[2]
He won the award for "Best Folk/Pop Artist" National/International" during the Echo awards in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. He also won the Goldene Stimmgabel award in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005 for Most successful German solo pop act. In 1998 and 2006 he also won the "Platinum Life Award" during the same Goldene Stimmgabel awards.
In his side-project, the Pete Wolf Band he sings in English to more country-oriented music. The project started in 2017 and released albums in 2017 and 2019 as well as an EP in 2022.[3]
Petry was born in the neighborhood of Raderthal in Cologne, Germany and grew up there. After his father's death at age 16, he assumed responsibility for his 11-year-old brother. He obtained a vocational degree in precision mechanics while touring with his band in Cologne and surroundings. He married Rosemarie in 1972 and had a son, Achim Petry, two years later. Achim has re-recorded or made new editions of some of his father's songs.[4]