“I’ve been promoting concerts since 1977… I’ve never experienced anything like it” – Ernst Ludwig Hartz
What happens when, despite the old saying, the show really can’t go on? Here is a short interview with two men behind the beleaguered live music scene in Germany. Manni Glamowski would have been behind the scenes at this year’s Rock Hard Festival (hosting Accept and Blue Oyster Cult) and Ernst Ludwig Hartz would have been introducing the likes of Robbie Williams, Kraftwerk and Lionel Richie, Deep Purple at the Kunstrasen and Hofgarten right here in Bonn. Rockpalast asked them both for their thoughts, and fears, over the live music scene in Covid19 times.
(in German)
It all began in the WDRstudios of Cologne’s Südstadt in 1976, and now it’s very latest edition is being recorded – in Bonn Endenich. ‘Rockpalast’ has of course become a Worldwide Rockmusic institution that has the ability to make(and possibly break) bands into a higher league on the success ladder and touring circuit. The venue is Bonn Harmonie and the bands experiencing a mix of anticipation, excitement and maybe nostalgic goosebumps under the blue neon ‘Rockpalast’ signs tonight are ‘Chain’, ‘Lisa & The Lips’ and ‘Imperial State Electric’.
The first Crossroads show from the mighty Rockpalast got underway with a band from my hometown, Portsmouth (UK that is). On the evidence of New Desert Blues and German punk rockers Angelika Express it’s going to be another bag of allsorts every evening – and I can’t wait!
“When we were selling 50,000 records a week,” remembers Chris Barron, “I’d walk into a mall to buy underwear and 300 kids would surround me!” A Harp playing blues girl and a powerpop band that a few years ago was all the rage with commercial tunes and witty lyrics. Stacie Collins was blowing harp and Chris Barrons band The Spin Doctors were prescribing a good time for all. The only losers were those who stayed at home.