Broadcaster Rainer Holbe has passed away.
Rainer Holbe: A Pioneer in German Television and Radio
Rainer Holbe, a renowned figure in German media, passed away today at his home in Frankfurt am Main at the age of 85. Holbe was one of the most well-known faces on German television in the 1970s and 1980s, making significant contributions as a journalist, author, radio, and television presenter.
Holbe's career began in the late 1960s with his work on ZDF, where he hosted the popular music show "Star Parade." The show, which aired from 1968 to 1980, was one of the biggest rating hits of the Second German Television, and millions of viewers remember Holbe as its host. Stars like Barry Manilow, ABBA, Neil Diamond, T. Rex, and Frank Sinatra performed on the "Star Parade" show, with Conductor James Last making his first-ever television appearance in the first episode and accompanying almost all guests with his orchestra until the last episode.
In addition to his work on "Star Parade," Holbe was also one of the pioneers of German private television in the 1980s. He was one of the founding fathers at TV station RTL (then still RTLplus), where he launched the then-unfamiliar format of breakfast television in 1987, with Holbe as the face of the show for many years.
Holbe's contributions to German television and radio were not limited to music shows. He was also involved in cultural programming, and his work helped shape German TV's engagement with music and cultural content, bridging media formats like radio and television.
Holbe's status as a respected TV and radio figure known for music and cultural shows underscores his pioneering contributions in German broadcasting during his time. While specific major innovations or groundbreaking contributions are less explicitly documented, his influence in TV entertainment is evident in the popular music shows and cultural programming he worked on.
In summary, Rainer Holbe was a key figure in German television and radio broadcasting, particularly in the cultural and music program domain, making significant contributions as a journalist and presenter. He will be remembered for his contributions to German media and his impact on the entertainment industry.
The Commission's proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation might not have been the focus of Rainer Holbe's career, yet his influence in the entertainment industry remains undeniable. Holbe's impact can be seen in the countless celebrities who performed on his shows during his tenure as a pioneering host in German television and radio.
