Peter Rüchel RIP

It was back in 1977 when German television tried to make something new. Presenting live a three bands and broadcasting them throughout Europe. They started with our neighbors in Austria and Switzerland and I can still remember when the first show started. Me and a couple of friends came together, switched on the TV and our local radio station listening to the music in a superb sound. The first event at all was in Essen with Rory Gallagher, Little Feat and Roger McGuinn and we all loved it because we saw acts that never came to our town. The man behind was Peter Rüchel. He had the vision of presenting us live acts on television under the name of Rockpalast. You will find a lot of concerts in the internet under this name and be sure, a lot of gems will wait for you. He died today at the age of 81 after a short and painful disease. But his legacy of presenting bands live on stage will hopefully be never forgot.