- "Journey Over Seven Music Barriers" or "Karat's Rocky Passage Spanning Seven Bridges"
In the heart of the 70s, six young talents from East Berlin fashioned a band named Karat. Their handlebar mustaches and bell-bottoms kicked off a musical journey that would span decades. With a string of successful hits, Karat became one of the GDR's most beloved rock groups. But when the Berlin Wall fell, GDR bands, including Karat, lost their fanbase.
Fast forward to 2023, this iconic quintet is celebrating their golden anniversary. The jubilee concert in Berlin will showcase new tunes and pay homage to old favorites, as shared by frontman Claudius Dreilich with the German Press Agency. Regrettably, not a single original member will grace the stage this time.
Let's take a trip back to 1975, where a momentous night at the Kulturhaus "Otto Buchwitz" in Heidenau near Dresden transformed music history. Bassist Henning Protzmann, guitarist Ulrich Pexa, drummer Konrad Burkert, keyboardist Ulrich "Ed" Swillms, singers Hans-Joachim Neumann, and Herbert Dreilich launched their musical endeavor.
Their debut brought instant fame, with their songs like "Leute welch ein Tag" played on DDR radio. In 1976, they clinched a silver medal at the III. Interpretenwettbewerb der Unterhaltungskunst in Karl-Marx-Stadt. Their first LP was a triumph, leaving their mark on the East German music scene in just three short years.
Karat's soaring success continued in 1978 when a DDR television film titled "Über sieben Brücken musst du gehn" became their turning point. Composer Ed Swillms crafted the title song, which aired in the International Schlagerfestival in Dresden, winning the Grand Prix. The single reached the second spot in the DDR-Jahreshitparade.
West German sensation Peter Maffay was captivated by this hit, covering it with stunning success. He continued to perform it alongside Karat after 1990. Several renowned musicians later followed suit, from Heinz Rudolf Kunze to Roland Kaiser, breathing new life into "Seven Bridges."
In 1982, Karat's "Der blaue Planet" album was an unspeakable success, propelling Karat to fame beyond East Germany. Their track "Jede Stunde" hit the top ten in the BRD, with the ZDF hit parade's Dieter Thomas Heck praising them as the "diamond of DDR pop groups."
But Karat faced setbacks. The DDR's strict regime and the advent of Western music led to a decline in their fanbase post the Berlin Wall's fall. However, they swiftly regained popularity, thanks to their remarkable resilience.
Tragedy struck Karat with Herbert Dreilich's cancer diagnosis in 1997 and subsequent death in 2004. Devastated, the band faced a legal hurdle when Dreilich's widow claimed ownership of the Karat trademark. Despite losing the initial court case, Karat was able to reclaim their name in 2007.
Subsequently, they rebranded as "K...!" until the courts ruled in their favor. In the face of adversity, Karat proved their unwavering commitment to their music and legacy.
This spirit of resilience and innovation continues in 2023. While band members have changed, guitarist Bernd Römer remains a constant from Karat's early days. The current lineup consists of keyboardist Martin Becker, bassist Daniel Bätge, drummer Heiko Jung, and Frontman Claudius Dreilich.
Their 50th anniversary celebrations include a new album "Hohe Himmel," an extensive tour, including performances at the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie and Dortmund Westfalenhalle. The tour will feature VIP packages, offering exclusive access to backstage clubs and catering.
Karat's golden anniversary serves as a testament to their lasting impact on the German music scene. Their ability to adapt and innovate despite political and social challenges underscores their enduring legacy.
In honor of Karat's golden anniversary, other fan favorite tunes will be performed at the jubilee concert beyond the old favorites, showcasing their evolution as a band. Despite not having any original members in the lineup, the cynics might question the authenticity of the concert, but true fans will undoubtedly appreciate the new interpretations.
During the 1975 Interpretenwettbewerb der Unterhaltungskunst in Karl-Marx-Stadt, Karat's unique motif of combining East German rock with Western elements helped them clinch the silver medal, marking their early success in the GDR music scene. As the band's fame grew, they faced scrutiny from the DDR regime due to their Western influences, leading to a decline in their fanbase post the Berlin Wall's fall.
After the tragic loss of frontman Herbert Dreilich in 2004, cynics might have doubted Karat's ability to continue as a band; however, their unwavering commitment to their music and legacy led them to reclaim their trademark and emerge stronger than ever. With Bernd Römer as a constant, the new lineup has continued to innovate, releasing the new album "Hohe Himmel" and embarking on an extensive tour for their 50th anniversary.
