The story of the biggest German pop band

Rosenstolz are probably the biggest pop group in Germany but nobody thought that Peter and AnNa would be so famous when they started working together in 1991. The group are: AnNa born on December 25th, 1969 in Berlin and Peter Plate born on July 1st, 1967 in New Dehli (India).

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1992   1993   1994   1995   1996   1997   1998   1999   2000   2001   2002   2003   2004   2005

1992

The beginnings of Rosenstolz can be called for "twist in the dark". A talented musician Peter Plate from Goslar in West Germany moves to East Berlin which is the probably the most exciting city in Germany at the beginning of 1990s. He is looking for a female singer who would want to perform his music... He finds her - a young beautiful girl from East Berlin whose name is AnNa. They start to create music in Peter's little kitchen in his flat already at the end of 1991. They have their first concert in Peter's appartment for some closest friends... So starts the most successful story of the biggest pop band in Germany.

The first single

The debut single was released on August 20, 1992 and it featured the song "Ich geh' auf Glas". The single contained even an alternative version of "Ich geh' auf Glas" and two other songs: "Süchtig" and "Ich geh' jetzt aus". All the songs from the single would appear on the first Rosenstolz album "Soubrette werd' ich nicht". The single wasn't noticed by the German pop fans and it was pressed in only about 800 pieces.

On the TV

The first TV appearance that the group remembers took place in the Berlin local TV channel B1 on October 4th, 1992. The forthcoming album was completed by that time and AnNa and Peter decided to promote the title song "Soubrette werd' ich nicht" which would never be released as a single. In the studio with live audience the female host forgot what the group's name was - she remembered only the first part of the name "Rosen". But the group's performance was very professional for being a debuting pop act.

Early photo sessions

An early photo session that was taken by Jörn Hartman somewhere in Berlin.

Soubrette werd' ich nie... - the first album

Peter and AnNa started playing at small clubs in Berlin but it was difficult to have a breakthrough. Probably the most important moment was when they met the music producer Tom Müller who had even produced the German punk diva Nina Hagen. Tom wanted to do an album with Rosenstolz and in April 1992 Peter and AnNa entered a recording studio for the first time. The album was completed in September 1992 and released in Germany in December under title "Soubrette werd' ich nicht". It became a flop commercially but cult among the group of fans that Rosenstolz already had. The album contained several absolutely great songs which still belong to the Top10 best Rosenstolz compositions. Among others "Ich geh' auf Glas", "Soubrette werd' ich nicht" and "Stolz der Rose" belong to the most beautiful songs AnNa and Peter perform. The classical "Schlampenfieber" and a little special in a bit of Nina Hagen style "Klaus-Trophobie" belong as well to the old favorites. Even if the album did not sell so gut by that time, the songs would be discovered by millions new fans several years later.

The "Stolz der Rose" photo sessions

The first photo sessions with Peter and AnNa were quite easy to be associated to the song from the first album "Stolz der Rose".

1993

Schlampenfieber

The year 1993 brought only one single release featuring the track "Schlampenfieber" from the first album. The single was released in Germany on May 17, 1993 and contained even bonus tracks: "Eduard" and a new song "Für dich nich dreh'" which would be released on the group's second album "Mittwoch ist fällig" one year later. The single did not reach the German single chart but "Schlampenfieber" became one of the most famous hits of Rosenstolz.

1994

Nur einmal noch - the single

The first 1994 single "Nur einmal noch" promoted group's album with the same title and it was released on May 23th, 1994 - the same day that the album was released.

The video

AnNa and Peter filmed their very first low-budget video which they financed themselves. The video "Nur einmal noch" was shown in a local TV channel in Berlin.

Nur einmal noch - the second album

The second album was recorded at the end of 1993 and at the beginning of 1994 in the Hanza Studios in Berlin and released on May 23th, 1994. All 14 songs on the album had been written by Peter and AnNa. The album contained the future smash hit of Rosenstolz "Die Zigarette danach" (The cigarette after) which became a real hit several years later during its live performances. Today "Die Zigarette danach" belongs to the most classical tracks ever recorded by the group. But not only "Die Zigarette danach" was the absolute highlight on this album - even the title song "Nur einmal noch" and "Kuss der Diebe" would be big favorites among the fans. The video for "Nur einmal noch" would be filmed first 5 years later in 1999 after the first big commercial success with the compilation album "Alles Gute" in 1998.

The photos

Kuss der Diebe - the single

The second single from the album "Nur einmal noch" saw its release on October 24, 1994 and it featured two different mixes of "Kuss der Diebe"  and a quickmix of "Johnny (... versprich mir nichts).

1995

Recording sessions

At the beginning of the year Rosenstolz were in the studio recording their third album. Even a new video with the title song "Mittwoch is' er fällig" promoting the forthcoming album was filmed.

Mittwoch is' er fällig - the single

The first single from the upcoming third album "Mittwoch is' er fällig" was released on February 20, 1995. The single contained 5 different mixes of the song and no bonus tracks.

The video promotion

The video for the song "Mittwoch is' er fällig" was much more advanced than the group's 1994 film to "Nur einmal noch"

Mittwoch is' er fällig - the third studio album

The new album was released in Germany on May 15th, 1995 and even if it wasn't any chart hit it made that the Rosenstolz fans circle became much bigger which resulted in extra concerts during the tour. The album entitled "Mittwoch is' er fällig"  contained 12 new songs featuring on of the group's biggest hits ever "Lachen" (Laughing). All music was written by Peter and lyrics by AnNa and Peter together. The title song was released on the second single from the album.

The photo sessions

Lachen - the single

The second single from the album "Mittwoch is' er fällig" featured "Lachen" and it was released on September 18, 1995. The song would not be a chart hit in 1995 but it would become one of the most popular Rosenstolz songs ever. A special radio mix of "Lachen" was included and this remix is available only on this single.

Lachen - the video

The video was filmed in a hippie style in West Berlin.

1996

Polydor takes over

The year 1996 was in many ways very important to the group. AnNa and Peter who had recorded their albums during the first 3 years for a little record company "Traumton" received contract from "Polydor" - the biggest record company in Germany. 

Sex im Hotel - the single

The only single from the album "Objekt der Begierde"  was "Sex im Hotel" (Sex in the hotel) - the track which became classic in the Rosenstolz repertoire and which has been performed by the group in very many different versions and arrangements. The single was released about one month before releasing the album on April 15, 1996. Another track - "Der Moment" was chosen for the radio promotion and a limited edition of the single was released only for the radio not for sale.

Objekt der Begierde - the album

The first album recorded on Polydor label was "Objekt der Begierde". It was even the first album co-produced by Peter together with Tom Müller. The album was released on May 10, 1996 and it  featured 14 tracks and among them several Rosenstolz classics as "Sex im Hotel", "Der Moment" and the title track.

The photos

The tour 1996

In May 1996 the group started their tour in Germany promoting the new album. The tour continued until December with break in the summer. The final concert in Berlin was attended by 4000 people.

1997

In Russia

In 1997 Rosenstolz went on their probably very first "tour" abroad!!! The Goethe Institut invited the group to Novosibirsk in Russia as a part of the promotion of the German culture abroad. On the first evening they performed at the "Youth Center" in the city in front of about 300 people (the show was sold out). The day after Rosenstolz played on an Open-Air concert with 10 000 people in the audience.

Die Schlampen sind müde - the single

One of the biggest Rosenstolz hits ever  "Die Schlampen sind müde" was in fact released on August 11, 1997 as the second track on the CDS "Ich stell' mich an die nächste Wand" - the new single promoting the forthcoming album. "Die Schlampen sind müde" became a kind of Rosenstolz anthem and it can be always heard on their concerts. The single contained radio edits of the two songs and a bonus track - "Ich geh' auf Glas" recorded live. The single entered the German chart reaching #36.

The album

The album entitled "Die Schlampen sind müde"  was released in autumn 1997 and it became quite successful reaching #33 on the German chart. It contains some of the group's evergreens as "Königin", "Die Einsamkeit der Rosen" and of course the title track. Totally Rosenstolz released 15 new tracks on their new CD and among them a very catchy but relatively unknown song "Wir tanzen Tango" which was not written by Peter, Ulf and AnNa which is quite unusual.

The "Schlampen" photo sessions.

1998

The year 1998 brought the first "greatest hits" album. Peter and AnNa thought that after 6 years of their musical activity it was time to pick up the best tracks and release them on the album called "Alles Gute".

Herzenschöner - the first single

The first single promoting the forthcoming the best of album was released at the beginning of March and contained a new song "Herzenschöner" which was even re-recorded in English as "Heart's Desire" and added as a bonus on this CD-single. The single entered the German chart at the end of March where it stayed for 9 weeks reaching #34. The English recording was done for the Eurovision just in case the group would win and it is available on on the single.

The video

Eurovision

Rosenstolz became number two in the German eliminations to the Eurovision Song Contest. They performed "Herzenschöner" in Bremen but the experts decided that the song performed by Guildo Horn was better. What had happened if they won? International break-through? Maybe, but Rosenstolz still needed more support in their home country even if the first signs showed that something was going on... The group's singles began appear on charts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and reached higher and higher positions.

Alles Gute - the best of

The compilation album "Alles Gute" would be the only CD release from Rosenstolz in 1998. It was probably one of the most important moments in the group's history - a kind of break-through. Nobody knows how many people discovered the group first in 1998 due to this release but it is definitely right that Rosenstolz got many new fans and among them raffem.com. The group became known in the Swedish gay community in Stockholm - many Swedes go to see the Rosenstolz concerts in Germany regularly.

"Alles Gute" contained totally 19 songs - the best of 1992-98. Among them there were three brand new compositions - the single hit "Herzenschöner", "Süsser Vogel" and one of the best song ever written and performed by the group: "Lass sie reden". The song "Nur einmal noch" appeared in a new 1998 mix. The album was released on April 17th, 1998 and it became Rosenstolz' first real commercial success as it reached #10 on the German album chart.

The group's image chosen for this release could be probably called "In bed with Rosenstolz"... The "bed" photo session was taken already in 1997 and partly used for the '97 album "Die Schlampen sind müde".

Nur einmal noch

The remixed version of their 1994 song "Nur einmal noch" was the selection for the group's single released on May 18, 1998. Even "Herzenschöner" appeared for the second time on this single as well as a bonus track "Kein Mut zum Fliegen". The single appeared on the German chart where it reached #75.

1999

Perlentaucher - the single

The first single from the forthcoming album was released in March 1999 and it contained one of the most beautiful Rosenstolz songs "Perlentaucher". The single was released in two parts. The first CDS contained the radio version of the song "Perlentaucher", "Nirwana" - an previously unreleased song performed on Rosenstolz concerts in the 1990s, another mix of "Perlentaucher" and finally an instrumental piece entitled "Nackt".

The second CDS was a limited edition in so called "slip case". It contained following tracks: the full-length version of "Perlentaucher", "Cleopatra", the "boygroup" version of the classical hit "Sex im Hotel" and the other version of "Perlentaucher".

"Perlentaucher" became a Top 40 hit on the German single chart even if no big commercial promotion had been made for the single.

Zucker - the album

On April 23rd, 1999 the new album "Zucker" (Sugar) was released in Germany. It featured 16 new songs and among them many coming hits as "Ein anderes Gefühl von Schmerz",  "Perlentaucher" and the classical Rosenstolz hit "Fütter Deine Angst". The new image was inspired by France and Spain on the album cover. AnNa and Peter were posing with "El Pais" and "Le Figaro" in their hands. Nice photo sessions were taken somewhere near Mediterranean. (Photos: Olaf Blecker)

The Tour 1999

On May 1st, the group started their "Zucker Tour 99" in Zürich in Switzerland. The first leg of the tour ended in Potsdam almost two months later on June 27th. The second part of the tour started in Berlin on October 13th and ended in New York on November 9th.

The whole tour schedule

Ja, ich will - the single

May 1999 brought a new single release from Rosenstolz. AnNa and Peter invited the German comedian Hella von Sinnen to the recording studio and made a new song called "Ja, ich will" (Yes, I do) which was about the gay people's right to marriages. Even a special video was filmed. "Ja, ich will" became quite successful on the German single chart where it spent 7 weeks reaching # 52.

Zuckerschlampen Live

The second CD in 1999 "Zuckerschlampen Live" was released on September 24th, 1999 and it featured 16 songs recorded live during Rosenstolz' tour in the spring in Germany.

Ein anderes Gefühl von Schmerz - the single

"Ein anderes Gefühl von Schmerz" was released in the autumn 1999 but only as a promo single for dj:s and radio.

2000

Amo Vitam - the single

The new single from the forthcoming album was entitled "Amo Vitam" and it was released on August 21, 2000. The song was sung in Latin! Two versions of the single were available - the first one contained even 3 other new songs and the another one different remixes of the song.

The video

A brand new video was filmed for the new single by the director Markus Sternberg.

Kassengift - the album

On September 4th, 2000 the album "Kassengift" was released in Germany. It contained 12 songs including hit singles "Amo vitam", "Total eclipse" and "Die Schwarze Witwe". The album entered the German chart at number 1 and stayed there for 11 weeks.

The photo sessions

The tour

The promotional tour started in Vienna (Austria) on September 26th, 2000 and ended in Berlin on November 25th, 2000.

Kinder der Nacht - the second single

The single "Kinder der Nacht" was released in Germany on November 20, 2000 as the second single from the album "Kassengift". The single featured three different mixes of the song and a previously unreleased track "Vampir". Due to lack of promotion on the radio and TV the single reached #63 on the German chart.

The video

A very interesting and in many ways daring video to the song was filmed with AnNa and Peter in main roles.

The cinema photo session + cover

2001

Rosenstolz feat. Marc Almond & Nina Hagen

The new Rosenstolz single entitled "Total eclipse" was released in two maxi versions on March 5th, 2001. The song was performed by the group together with the British pop star Marc Almond. Another track on the single "Schwarze Witwe" featured another star: Nina Hagen. Both singles contained previously unreleased bonus tracks and two songs sung in French. The single was more successful on German chart than previous Rosenstolz releases and it reached #22, It stayed on the chart for 7 weeks.

The photo sessions

In the spring of 2001 the photographer Olaf Blecker created a completely new image for AnNa and Peter. An exclusive photo sessions was taken for forthcoming single covers and for the promotion in massmedia.

Es könnt ein Anfang sein - the single

New single featuring a brand new song entitled "Es könnt ein Anfang sein" was released on October 29, 2001. The single was the most successful Rosenstolz single up-to-date and it stayed on the German hit chart for 12 weeks reaching #8.

Rosenstolz toured in October (see the schedule below).

2002

Sternraketen

The first single with new material was released on August 19th, 2002 and contained "Sternraketen"/"Macht Liebe". Completely new sound which was much more harder than the sound the Rosenstolz fans were used to.

The song "Sternraketen" is still a little bit controversial and maybe not the biggest favorite among the group's hits but in 2002 it became hit directly entering the German hit list at #11 at the end of August. AnNa and Peter promoted their new single in several TV appearances during the summer. Even the group's image was very interesting. They wore orange overalls and AnNa's hair was red...