A tribute to music promoter Fritz Rau
In the 1950s, Fritz Rau became famous for bringing American jazz musicians to tour in Germany. Later, he promoted the likes of the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton - long before they became international stars.
A man of music
In the 1950s, Fritz Rau became famous for bringing American jazz musicians to tour in Germany. Later, he promoted big names like the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton - long before they became international stars. He died on August 19, 2013 at the age of 83.
Quick, get me a stage, Fritze!
The great German impresario celebrated his 80th birthday with 2,500 guests in Frankfurt's "Alte Oper" (Old Opera). In a laudatory speech, Rau was praised for his special brand of humanity, which he maintained during his over 50 years in the tough show business. Ella Fitzgerald was one of many American jazz stars that the clever lawyer turned concert promoter brought to Germany in the 1950s.
The family man
Charismatic and choleric, humorous and warm - that's how his contemporaries describe him. Al Jarreau called Rau "Everybody's Papa." Mick Jagger called the German the "Godfather." For many artists, he was not just a business partner - he was more like a member of the family. He brought the Rolling Stones to German stages in the 1970s.
Success with German musicians
German-speaking artists also appreciated Fritz Rau's talent as a concert manager. Along with his agency partner Horst Lippmann, he was very successful in promoting musicians such as Udo Jürgens, Udo Lindenberg and Peter Maffay, as well as Greek singer Nana Mouskouri and South African Howard Carpendale.
Prize-worthy
Rock musician Peter Maffay is pictured hugging the concert manager at the ECHO Awards in 2001. Rau not only received prizes himself, he also helped his artists to receive the laurels they deserved.
The biggest stars
Rau once called himself a former die-hard member of the Hitler youth, but said that his early passion for jazz helped him to "de-Nazify." The impresario not only organized concerts for jazz greats like Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald, he also won over stars like Madonna, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Sting for German audiences.
Loved by everybody
Michael Jackson thanked his promoter in 1997 during a concert on his "History World Tour" in Munich. This is just one of many such images that show just how popular and loved Rau was.
His political side
He was open to almost all genres of music. However, he refused to work with the far-right-leaning Die Böhse Onkelz. He tended to prefer people such as visual artist Joseph Beuys (left) and singer Udo Lindenberg, with whom he's pictured here in 1982 at the "Artists for Peace" concert.
A last farewell
German rock star Udo Lindenberg, after learning of the death of his "adventurous friend and big brother Fritz Rau," wrote: "You've always been a pioneer. Now, you travel on ahead, and I'll follow you some day. Get the stage ready up there behind the stars!"