Rockpalast (Rock Palace) is a German music television show that broadcasts live on German television station Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR). Rockpalast started on January 22, 1976 and continues to this day. Hundreds of rock, heavy metal and jazz bands have performed on Rockpalast. Some acts were recorded for broadcast and for retail sale. All-night marathon shows called “Rock Night” (Rocknacht) were produced once or twice a year from 1977 through 1986 and simulcast throughout Europe via the Eurovision network of TV broadcasters,[1] thereby reaching around 25 million listeners on average.[2] Rockpalast is involved in several German pop, rock and underground music festivals, once sponsoring the Bizarre-Festival [de].

Rockpalast
Created byWDR
Country of originWest Germany (1976-1990)
Germany (1990-)
Original release
NetworkWDR
ReleaseJanuary 22, 1976 (1976-01-22)

The founder and long-time producer of Rockpalast was Peter Rüchel[3] together with Christian Wagner [de]. Soon, Alan Bangs and Albrecht Metzger joined as hosts of the Rockpalast Nacht [de] events.

The J. Geils Band's song "Believe in Me" became the official Rockpalast intro tune ever since their first broadcast in 1976.

Selected list of performers

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R.E.M. performing on Rockpalast at the Grünspan Club in Hamburg on 2 November 1998.
 
Indie folk rock band Villagers from Ireland performing on Haldern Pop Festival in 2013, whilst being recorded by Rockpalast team

Not all of these acts were recorded and broadcast. A list of the recorded gigs is readable on the Rockpalast homepage.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Michael Marsch. "Rockpalast Archiv - Rocknächte 1977 - 1986". Rockpalastarchiv.de. Retrieved 2014-06-27.
  2. ^ "Rockpalast Archiv - Hinter den Kulissen des Rockpalast - Musikexpress/Sounds".
  3. ^ Michael Marsch. "Rockpalast Archiv - Peter Rüchel Eclipsed 2004". Rockpalastarchiv.de. Retrieved 2014-06-27.
  4. ^ "Alle Bands von a bis Z - Bands A-Z - Rockpalast - Fernsehen - WDR". Archived from the original on 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  5. ^ "Kevin Coyne: Live At Rockpalast 1979". Rough Trade. 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
  6. ^ "The Cure: Live At Rockpalast – Bizarre Festival 1998". YouTube.com. 2017-02-05. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19.
  7. ^ "Electric Light Orchestra "Live - The Early Years" for the first time on DVD - #AltSounds". Hangout.altsounds.com. Archived from the original on 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2014-06-27.
  8. ^ With an appearance by the Flying Karamazov Brothers
  9. ^ "Jay Hooks at Hotburrito's Bluesrockencyclopedia". Hotburrito.nl. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  10. ^ First full show with backing band in Germany
  11. ^ Michael Marsch. "Rockpalast Archiv - Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers 1975". Rockpalastarchiv.de. Retrieved 2014-06-27.
  12. ^ "Tom Waits - Rockpalast 1977 01 Step Right Up". StumbleUpon. 1977-04-18. Retrieved 2014-06-27.

Further reading

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