Over a lengthy career Hannover's JANE have pursued virtually every facet of Hard Rock from Progressive synth laden work outs to commercial Radio Rock. Founded in 1969, JANE comprised of vocalist Bernd Pulst, guitarist KLAUS HESS, bassist Charly Maucher, keyboard player Werner Nadolny and drummer Peter Panka.

JANE had been created from the union of two school acts, Hess being a member of THE DEVILS whilst Panka was with THE J.P.'S. The latter act became JUSTICE OF PEACE and issued a 1967 single 'Save Me' / 'The War' which featured Werner Nadoldny on saxophone. JANE gelled when Hess and Panka united in 1969 with keyboard player Lüitjen 'Harvey' Janßen, later of ELOY.

During late 1970 JANE had undertaken their debut gig with Panka and Hess joined by Maucher on bass and Nadolny on keyboards. In April of 1971 lead vocalist Bernd Pulst joined the ranks in time for recording of the first eponymous album. Following the debut 1972 album 'Together' Pulst departed. Further line-up ructions occurred when Maucher fell ill necessitating the recruitment of ex-JUSTICE OF PEACE man Wolfgang Krantz on bass and vocals for the 1973 'Here We Are' effort.

Maucher made a recovery in time for the 'Jane III' album, although he had switched from bass to guitar supplanting Nadolny. JANE predictably did not remain stable for long and soon Maucher was out of the picture to form a fresh act HARLIS. Krantz also decamped to forge ANTARES but shortly after united with Maucher in HARLIS for a self titled album, the first ever release on Sky Records. Krantz would later create another band EFENDI'S GARDEN.

JANE regrouped by pulling in ex DULL KNIFE bassist Martin Hesse and keyboardist Gottfried Janko for 1975's 'Lady' album. Nadolny bailed out on the eve of a March 1976 tour to create LADY. This act issued one album and in its last incarnation featured a pre-SCORPIONS guitarist Matthias Jabs. However, Nadolny made a return to JANE ousting Janko. 1976 had the band once more in flux as former ELOY keyboard player Manfred Wieczorke joined the fold for what many fans believe to be JANE's finest hour, the heavily Progressive 'Fire, Water, Earth And Air'.

Over the late 70s JANE benefitted from a degree of stability, releasing 1977 'Between Heaven and Hell' and 1978's 'Age Of Madness'. These two albums witnessed strong international sales in territories such as America, Australia and Japan. After the latter however Wieczorke had opted for pastures new.

The 'Germania' album sessions welcomed Maucher back into the clan, but just as JANE finally ground to a halt. Maucher, Nadolny and Panka indulged themselves in the 'Warlock' Rock opera. A version of the band also toured Germany billed as LADY JANE. For 1982's 'Germania' album Panka, Nadolny and Maucher were joined by former MOUNTAIN ASH singer Detlef Klamann.

KLAUS HESS went on to issue a solo album, 'Sternentanz', in 1983, this sessions featuring contributions from Wolfgang Krantz. The following year JANE came together again with Panka and Nadolny bolstered by ex-VIVA guitarist Kai Reuter, former EPITAPH bassist Bernd Kolbe and keyboard player Klaus Henatsch of JUTTA WIENHOLD's band. By the time of recording for 1986's 'Beautiful Lady' Kolbe was no longer in the band

The band issued a 1988 live album initially limited to a mere 300 copies. JANE's line up for these shows and Panka and Nadolny with erstwhile EPITAPH guitarist Klaus Walz together with Stephanie Shea.

Hess and Panka settled their differences temporarily in 1992 for reunion shows, throughout Germany and, surprisingly, a 13 date tour of New Zealand, which saw Jens Dettmer on bass. The rift between the two parties reared its head once more though as each party formed their own version of the band and fans had to choose between PETER PANKA'S JANE and KLAUS HESS' JANE. For the sake of common sense the Hess version became MOTHER JANE and included Dettmer (now on drums) and bassist Kai Schiering.

The 1996 album 'Resurrection' was credited as PETER PANKA'S JANE although promotional copies listed the act as PANO'S JANE. For 'Resurrection' Panka was joined by Naldony, guitarists Klaus Walz and Kai Reuter and ex-KASCH bassist Mark Glebeler. Keyboards are supplied by ROUGH SILK's Ferdy Doernberg.

In 1998 MOTHER JANE released a self financed single 'Together We Stand' / 'Take It'. For live gigs that Autumn MOTHER JANE added Henatsch on keyboards. A live album, 'Comes Alive', surfaced in 2000.

WOLFGANG KRANTZ issued a solo album in 1999 titled 'Kreuz Und Quer' which featured his ex HARLIS colleague Werner Löhr on drums. Maucher turned up as a guest on Canadian act DR. GLUE's 1999 record 'Too Hot For The Mouse' whilst Martin Hesse appeared in the 1999 band THE CHAIN for their 'Pandemonium' record. Kai Reuter joined AORsters FAIR WARNING in 2000.

JANE succumbed to fan pressure and re-united in 2002 for the album 'Genuine', recorded for SPV Records by a line-up comprising Peter Panka on lead vocals and drums, guitarist Klaus Walz, bassist Charly Maucher and Werner Nadolny on keyboards. Live promotion included German dates with fellow veterans BIRTH CONTROL. A subsequent live album saw a switch of official title to PETER PANKA'S JANE. The group returned 2003 with the 'Shine On' opus.