Wandering Through Time with Wolfgang Niedecken: A Stroll Down Memory Lane
Wolfgang Niedecken, the charismatic frontman of BAP, ventures cautiously through a soggy meadow donning rubber boots. As he gazes over the hilly terrain, cow droppings litter the fallen leaves, and tire tracks weave haphazardly through the muddy terrain. Despite its appearance, this seemingly unremarkable area holds a poignant significance for Niedecken.
"This place," he reminisces, "I can still remember it like yesterday. It was here, in Morlitzwinden, that I wrote 'Verdamp lang her' back in 1981, on Rose Monday. The song became BAP's national anthem, turning our little village with just 32 inhabitants into a major chapter in German music history. It all happened overnight."
The enchanting air of yesteryears lingers in Erika Leitel's farmhouse, nestled along the fringes of Niedecken's tour. As Leitel recalls, "Wolfgang used to sit in the orchard back then, and I could only catch snippets of his music. To be honest, I didn't understand a word of Kölsch, so I always thought, if he can't do it, he shouldn't!" With a hearty laugh, Leitel adds, "I guess time proved her wrong. Though the trees are still standing, the leaves seem to be glowing one final time as winter approaches."
As the tour begins, Niedecken reconnects with friends and embarks on a timeless journey. The name of this tour mirrors the sentiment – 'Looking Back to the Future.' Kicking off in Cologne on Dec 7, BAP will be making stops across Germany, Switzerland, and the Benelux countries in 2024. The setlist will include all tracks from their album "Für usszeschnigge!" (1981) and "Vun drinne noh drusse" (1982), including 'Verdamp lang her.'
The focus of this tour is to share the powerful messages in these timeless tracks while avoiding sentimentality and kitsch. BAP's relentless pursuit of social and political issues in their music remains relevant even today.
"When Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilization, we dusted off 'Zehnter Juni' and performed it for all the Russian youth who had fled the war," Niedecken muses. "The power of the lyrics resonated with the audience – it felt like a testament to the eternal relevance of our message!"
As he reflects on his artistic evolution over the past four decades, Niedecken acknowledges both personal growth and a continued steadfastness in his identity. "Of course, I've grown older, and the world around me has changed. But I still feel that same fire burning within me to create – whether that's as a painter or a musician."
Niedecken's turbulent journey begins with lost dreams, confounded fears, and unforgettable experiences. "We were still figuring things out back then," he shared. "If we could cover entry fees in the pub, had gas in our car, and food in the fridge, that was enough for us!"
Erika Leitel recalls the Niedeckens' whimsical escapades, "One summer, they even slept in their car at a flea market in Amsterdam, eventually returning home triumphantly with a collection of Dylan, Rolling Stones, and Beatles lyrics hectographed by a street vendor."
Throughout the years, life has presented challenges and setbacks to this dedicated artist. Even now, Niedecken leans on the resilience that has sustained him throughout his career. "I've stuck by my values, never compromising on my artistic integrity. It's that unwavering spirit that has allowed me to weather the storms and thrive in adversity."
And so, as the winds of change blow and musical epochs transform, Wolfgang Niedecken remains rooted in the essential essence of his art, looking forward to the future while preserving the evergreen spirit of his past.
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Additional Insights
- In 1985, Wolfgang Niedecken was part of the Band für Afrika, a German charity single aimed at raising funds for famine relief in Africa.
- BAP's "Verdamp lang her" is considered a significant milestone in German music history, having helped launch BAP to national prominence.
- Wolfgang Niedecken's influence in the music industry continues to be felt, with recent performances in Wien's Konzerthaus showcasing his diverse talents and enduring charisma.
[1] [McNamara, A. (2016, February 8). Band für Afrika: Unsung Heroes of German Charity Music. Retrieved June 15, 2023, from [2] [Stern.de (2023, April 12). Retrieved June 15, 2023, from ] [3] [wiener.izet.at (2022, December 15). Retrieved June 15, 2023, from ]
