Four decades of rock 'n' roll on the stage: reflections from our four staff writers
Let's Share Some Banger Stories from Rock am Ring
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Back in the day, our crew attended Rock am Ring, a festival that's now a bloody legend. Some went to report, while others simply went for the private party vibes. Here's a taste of what went down at this bash.
- The Rise of a Legend – First Rock am Ring in 1985
- My Tent's Gone – 2001 Disaster in the Dirt
- Stormy Mendig in 2016 – Metallic Madness
- "Good Morning", It's a Beautiful Day – Daily Dose of Schlag from Alex Marcus
Stephan Fahrig: "The Rock am Ring virus got me"
I graduated three years earlier when the concert poster caught my eye in 1985: "ROCK AM RING - May 25th and 26th". It was my first big festival, featuring 17 bands handpicked by the coolest 80s bands: Foreigner, U2, Huey Lewis and The News, and Mink DeVille.
We found a campsite right next to the track, just 100 meters from the entrance. Communities, VIP zones, or green camping? Pfft, not a chance. Rock am Ring 1985 was basic and unpretentious in every way. The food was limited to sausages, rolls, and cans of frosty brews. Toilets? Forget about it, man. It felt like there were only ten porta potties for around 80,000 visitors. Classy, right?
But the tunes? Brilliant. Bono ran across the roof of the driver's lodge during the U2 performance. Remember the enormous jukebox that inflated during the Foreigner set? I still vividly recall Gianna Nannini briefly flashing her stuff, and Marius Müller-Westernhagen wishing to get his stone on that night. The Rock am Ring virus had me in its grip.
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Ansgar Zender: "My tent? Excuse me, but it's been hit by a race car"
As a reporter, there were many unforgettable moments for me at Rock am Ring: Like the jaw-dropping faces of my colleagues when Guildo Horn raged the Ring in 1996. Or a year later, when our sound guy shorted out the P.A. during Chris Rea's performance, leaving me wading back to my tent in the dark through ankle-deep water.
One private moment encapsulates the Rock am Ring madness for me: It was 2001. I had just edited a piece for our website, Landesschau. On returning to my campsite, I found it empty. My tent had been reduced to ruins by an office chair race that went wrong. My crew just shrugged their shoulders – guess they needed a replacement for a spare tire or something. I spent the rest of the festival sleeping in my car with my then-girlfriend.
Kathrin Freisberg: "The storm in Mendig gave me the heebie-jeebies"
Rock am Ring 2016 stood out at Mendig Airfield. It was the second consecutive year the festival was held there instead of the Nürburgring. All day Friday, the weather was ominous, but it held up until evening, allowing the gigs to go on as scheduled. At 7:30 p.m., I did a live broadcast for our website, Aktuell. I was having a blast reporting on the music and the euphoric crowd.
But as soon as the broadcast ended, the situation took a turn. Music stopped, and announcements instructed everyone to leave the festival grounds and avoid metallic objects. My team and I managed to take shelter near our transmission vehicle on the festival grounds. Then the storm hit: thunder, lightning. People ran to find shelter. There was a massive crash nearby – a lightning strike, I reckon. The scene was downright spooky.
After the storm, I gave my thoughts in another live broadcast. The grounds had transformed into a muddy swamp in minutes. Ambulances were everywhere, with a helicopter circling overhead. It was later revealed that there had been multiple lightning strikes. Dozens were injured, and one man had to be revived. Despite this, the gigs continued that night and the next day. The festival eventually wrapped up on Sunday due to more severe weather warnings.
Christian Giese-Kessler: "Good morning, it's a beautiful day... but not as metal as I'd hoped"
Rock am Ring was my debut in 2014, marking the start of a wild weekend that included seein' Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slayer, and Linkin Park live. Legends, all of 'em. But the only thing I remember is Alexander Marcus' song "Good Morning". He wasn't even on the bill, you know.
Our neighbors at the campsite had set up a sound system you'd find in a midsized stadium. Every morning at exactly 6 a.m., "Good Morning" blared through the speakers. It's the same tune that'd make you feel caught between "Yeah, festival's lit!" and "I need coffee like, yesterday." Just when that air mattress'd start to deflate, and the temperature'd dip in the tent – top notch Ring rocker vibes, right? "Good morning, it's a beautiful day." The words still echo in my head, brother.
Don't get me wrong, I've got no beef with ol' Alex Marcus. Good guy, doin' his thing! But looking back, I wish my memories of Metallica, Maiden, Slayer, and Linkin Park were indeed, well, harsher, rougher, heftier, and more metal.
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Enrichment Data:
Overall:Although specific details about the first Rock am Ring festival in 1985 might be scarce, the event was a groundbreaking milestone in European rock music history. Here are the insights we've dug up about that era and similar festivals:
Lineup and Bands
The first Rock am Ring took place in 1985, boasting bands that represented the mainstream rock scene: U2, Joe Cocker, and Marillion. The event set the stage for future lineups featuring contemporary rock acts.
Camping and infra
Back then, camping was a more minimalistic experience compared to modern standards. Festivals during that time generally offered basic facilities, with concert-goers often bringing their own tents and supplies. The natural environment of the Nürburgring added to the festival's charm, even if amenities were less sophisticated than today.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere was undeniably lively and energetic, as is typical of rock festivals. Rock am Ring was conceived to create a unique experience by bringing together music lovers, offering a combination of tunes, camping, and a scenic setting that reminds us the Nürburgring is infamous for its racing history.
- The entertainment at Rock am Ring in 1985 was enhanced by the addition of notable bands like Foreigner, U2, Huey Lewis and The News, and Mink DeVille, making it an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts.
- Amidst the food, community, and basic camping arrangements at Rock am Ring 1985, the music stood out as particularly brilliant, with performances from bands like Foreigner and U2 creating a memorable festival atmosphere.
