ROCKPALAST

Hello welcome to my first blog post! Everything on here will be primarily my own interests and serves no purpose but sheer interest from film, art and music etc. The three essentials that encompass everything, in my whole-hearted opinion, to do with the greats of life.

 Anyways, each post will take an invigorating rewind into some unsung heroes of music and film. Perfect right? Well, while most will be anticipating another quintessential Smiths post, you'd be roughly spot on, as The Smiths do play a preeminent part in the Rockpalast legacy. However, I'll refrain from making foreseeable Morrissey references as there's a time and a place for that pandemonium but don't disregard it from future posts as the temptation will always be accounted for. Moving on, why the Rockpalast? Well, it was a live German TV show from the seventies to around the early eighties and incorporated some of the immense talents, evidently being The Smiths but also the likes of Elvis Costello, Echo And The Bunnymen, Madness, U2 and Stiff Little Fingers. In the rear, anybody who's anybody. Broadcasted on a live German television station called 'Westdeutscher Rundfunk', it combined what was named the all night marathon shows, also known as 'rock night' produced up to twice a year, the show became a valid triumph for Germany. Personally, one of the most dignified outcomes of the show would be The Strangler's performance of 'No More Heroes' which to my amusement was utterly brilliant. I mean the song in its self is a renowned classic but the Rockpalast live show just brought out elements of great enormity. One of its many highlights. Despite my earlier disregard for all things Smiths, I still feel an obligation towards humanity that I mention what I believe is the greatest Rockpalast performance of all. The Smiths 'Miserable Lie' performance from the 1984 show. Perhaps, due to my acknowledged Smiths fascination and the fact Miserable Lie is beyond any doubt the best song ever written, this is why my choice is so easily made. However, the startling atmosphere of this specific performance is just something that is so highly inconceivable.  I have never witnessed such excellence in the whole 16 years I've lived on this planet and while that is not long, it most definitely drew a blank in my search for anything better. There isn't. Also, Alternative Ulster performed at the Rockpalast? The most iconic Stiff Little Fingers song? Possibly as musically significant as when Prince opened for The Rolling Stones at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as the opening act back in 1981. No one forgets it. The Rockpalast has served some of the most crucial and influential shows known to man. It still exists today going strong with performances of Dead Daisies, First Aid Kit and James. Germany have definitely got themselves a definitive platform that is so important to the 21st century and keeping that raw elation that should erupt through someone when their favourite band is set to perform here! David Bowie performing 'Moonage Daydream' from the iconic Ziggy Stardust album and the famous festivals that U2 play at. It really was something that seems have to faded into oblivion but needs to be recurred. Check out any Rockpalast session if you need to see that raw elation and the symbolic glowing Rockpalast sign reflect onto the artists. The most incredible performances that you will ever see...