One of the German Public TV stations WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk in Cologne) has his 50 birthday this year.  WDR (the Radio Broadcast was older) was already famous for his 'Electronic Music Studio' where Karl Heinz Stockhausen worked  up from 1953 and the WDR  did in  general a lot to support 'progressive'  music.

'Rockpalast' : this was a TV programm created in 1977 to suport live Rock Music. They recorded regularly concerts for broadcast and twice (?) a year a big 'Rock Night', which was broadcasted live in several european countries. There were normally 3 bands playing, starting about ten o'clock and lasting a bigger part of the night. I still remember the first one with Little Feat (still with Lowell George)  and a Cactus Ballet (some roadies moving cardboard cactus) On other nights  there were Peter Gabriel, Patti Smith and a lot of others.  They always wanted to have Bruce Springsteen for one of their nights but neve made it. BTW: last week they broadcasted a 'VDGG' and a Soft Machine concert, both recored during the 'Leverkusener Jazz Tage in Novemeber 2005. 

'Rock In' a radio programm on WDR II in the 70' and 80's, moderated by Winfried Trenckler every wendesday night. He played a lot of great rock and made me discover Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Rush , Frank Marianno, Bo Hansson and lots of others. Once a month on sunday night he played a  whole new record without talking between the tracks, so,that everybody could tape it.

'In Between'  another radio programm on WDR II in the 70' and 80's and my absolute favourite radio programm up to now, moderated by Karl Lippegaus. His opening jingle was 'Boys in The Band by Gentle Giant. He combined a lot of differernt  music  styles:, Jazz, Rock, Prog, Folk, Punk and more. He did sometimes 'Specials' where he presented one musician/ band often with an interview that he conducted himself. I discovered this way Joni Mitchell and a lot of fantastic music.

Blow the candles out!