Ashra is a project begun by Manuel Gottsching in 1976, initially to facilitate his solo career although other members were included later on. The band's name is an abbreviation of the name of Gottsching's previous band, Ash Ra Tempel. The name was changed as Gottsching's music became less psychedelic and more oriented towards electronica. Ash Ra Tempel played their last concert in February 1973, their final album Starring Rosi was recorded later that year (featuring future Ashra member Harald Grosskopf).