Born in Germany.on February 27, 1949. During his teens, he performed as the lead guitarist in bands like Blackbird (1962), [a=Virus (26)] (1971), and Weed (1971, with Ken Hensley of Uriah Heep) that played everything from rock to blues.

Although a native of Germany, he later sold his Gibson Les Paul to pay for the flight to India. There he changed his name first to Govinda, then to Govi.