They are waiting for us to die: Frank Schwebel accuses the German media of marginalizing East German artists
East German pop legend Frank Schöbel has sharply criticized German radio stations for ignoring artists from the former East Germany in their programming. The 82-year-old star told the Nordkurier newspaper: "They simply don't play my songs anymore," adding, "Sometimes I feel like some people are just waiting for us to die." His comments highlight the frustration of former East German stars who feel neglected in the current music scene.
Despite the noticeable neglect, Schöbel remains a beloved figure in East Germany, especially during the Christmas season, where his songs are played in homes throughout Germany. Schöbel and his former partner Aurora Lacasa produced the most successful Amiga album in East Germany in 1985 titled Weihnachten in Familie (Christmas with Family), which solidified his enduring popularity.
Fans will soon have the opportunity to see him on stage again, as Schuybel is scheduled to hold a concert in Gera on November 8, followed by a series of Christmas concerts in Berlin, Cottbus, Potsdam, and Magdeburg starting at the end of the month. His continued popularity demonstrates the loyalty of his audience despite the challenges posed by the music industry.
Schweibel does not face this challenge alone, as the East German duo Katrin & Peter, who became famous for their pop songs in the 1970s and 1980s, are struggling to gain media exposure. Despite their ongoing live performances, their request to appear on the popular television show Immer wieder sonntags has been denied, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by artists from the East German era in modern media.
Other stars from East Germany share the same concerns, including Ute Freudenberg, who retired in 2023 after a career spanning over five decades, and criticized the industry for focusing on the number of followers on social media instead of musical performance and artistic consistency. These voices collectively affirm the feeling among Eastern artists that their contributions are being overlooked in contemporary German musical culture.