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 Delhi (India).

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

1992

A talented composer and musician Peter Plate from Goslar in West Germany moves to East Berlin which is the probably the most exciting city in Europe 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 20th, 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.

On October 24th, 1992 Rosenstolz performed in the TV show "Babelsberg live" in the ORB channel.

Early photo sessions

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

More photo sessions taken in Berlin

The Warschauer Strasse photo session

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 the 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 commercial flop  but very exciting among the group of fans that Rosenstolz already had. The album contained several absolutely great songs as "Ich geh' auf Glas", "Soubrette werd' ich nicht" and "Stolz der Rose" which belong to the Top10 of the best Rosenstolz compositions. 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.

Photo sessions

Several shots from the early photo sessions 1992/1993.

Soubrette werd' ich nie

The first album "Soubrette werd' ich nie" released originally in 1992 saw its re-release in 1993 with different cover but the same track list.

More early photo sessions

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 23rd, 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.

Photo sessions

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Mittwoch is' er fällig - the single

The first single from the upcoming third album "Mittwoch is' er fällig" was released on February 20th, 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 video for "Nur einmal noch"

Mittwoch is' er fällig - the third studio album

The new album was released in Germany on 15 May 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.

Photo session for the album cover

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.

"Sex im Hotel" did not become a chart success for Rosenstolz. Radio did not play it at all and only DJs in night clubs in Germany found the song very catchy and good for playing for dancing audience. No video was made as the recording company did not see the song as a hit.

Photo session

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 photo sessions

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 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 on September 29th, 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.

Alternative photo session

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 single

The first single promoting the forthcoming the best of album was released on March 2nd, 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.

The videos

Two videos were filmed for "Herzenschöner" and "Nur einmal noch" in the same studio and almost the same outfits.

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" was released on April 27th, 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".

Photo session

This rare photo session some day in 1998.

Nur einmal noch  - the single

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 photos

"Le Figaro" - photo session

Several alternative shots from the photo session for the album cover.

The Tour 1999

On 1 May 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 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.

The photos & the video

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 song "Die im dunkeln sieht man doch" was a bonus track which would not be available on the forthcoming album "Kassengift".

The single peaked at #19 on the German chart.

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 dogs session

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

Alternative photo sessions

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 video

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.

The photos

The video

The tour

Rosenstolz embarked on tour in Germany in October (see the schedule below).

2002

Sternraketen - the single

The first single with new material was released on August 19th, 2002 in two versions featuring "Sternraketen"/"Macht Liebe" in several remixed versions. The new sound was completely different to the sound the Rosenstolz fans were used to. The song "Sternraketen" became hit directly entering the German hit list at #11 at the end of August where it stayed for 8 weeks.

The CDs 1 contained four songs - two of them not included on the forthcoming album: Lautes Herz and Kleine Wunder.

The CDs 2 featured two versions of Sternraketen. There were even two versions of Macht Liebe - one of them remixed with additional vocals of Inga Humpe from the group 2raumwohnung.

Photo sessions

The photo sessions for the first single and the upcoming releases were taken in summer 2002.

Alternative shots - the "Macht Liebe"-photo sessions.

TV promotion

Rosenstolz appeared in the most important shows on TV.

- the album

The motto for this album was simple: "Make love - Love is power, the power makes you free. Love is force, the force heals". The album "Macht Liebe" was released on September 9th, 2002 and it featured 12 songs in different styles. Among them there were several absolute great ballads as "Tag in Berlin" or "Ich verbrauche mich" which became evergreens directly. The album was released as a single CD and as a package with a bonus DVD containing 5 videos to the songs recorded and released on their previous album and singles. The album entered the German hit chart on #3.

"Es tut immer noch weh" - the second single

The second single from "Macht Liebe" featured the song "Es tut immer noch weh". The single came out in two different versions: "Die Laut Edition" and "Die französische Edition" (The French edition). The first single featured 5 songs and a short film "Laut". The second single featured 4 tracks (three of them in French) and three videos - see track listings below.

The promotion

With Nena

In autumn (11.10 2002) the German pop star Nena celebrated her 20 years on stage and among the guests invited to her big show (recorded for a DVD release) were even Rosenstolz. Together they performed old Nena hit "Du kennst die Liebe nicht".

The tour 2002

Rosenstolz started their tour in Magdeburg on 1 November 2002. During almost two months the group promoted their new album in Germany. The last concert in 2002 took place in Messehalle in Dresden.

2003

What can I for your world...

In January AnNa and Peter composed and recorded a new song called "Was kann ich für eure Welt" (What can you do for your world). The song was featured on two new singles released on 12 May 2003.

The single was quite successful on the German chart where it stayed for 9 weeks reaching #12. The group planned no new album in 2003 except the double live CD and DVD.

The tour

In the summer the group toured in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Rosenstolz live aus Berlin - CD/DVD

The double CD and DVD featuring the group's concert in Berlin in November 2002 were released on 26 May 2003. There were 24 songs featured on both CD and DVD.

Recording sessions

In autumn and winter Rosenstolz were in the studio recording songs for their new album. The recording sessions were held in Hamburg. (pictures below from November 2003)

2004

Liebe ist alles - the single

The first single from the forthcoming album "Herz" was "Liebe ist alles" (Love is everything) saw its release on 1 March 2004. The single was released in three versions. The second CD single contained songs sung in French and Japanese as well as a duet with legendary punk diva Nina Hagen.

The single went straight to #6 on the German single chart where it stayed for 18 weeks.

Liebe ist alles - the video

Herz - the album

The new album was called "Herz" (Heart) and it was released on 22 March 2004. The 12 brand new songs had been written by Peter, AnNa and Ulf Leo Sommer. The album was produced by Peter and Ulf. The music was a mix of pop and rock and it featured some beautiful ballads sung by AnNa, one great song performed by Peter (Eine Frage des Lichts = It is about the light) and several stark songs performed by both of them.

The photo sessions

Ich will mich verlieben - the single

The second single from "Herz" was "Ich will mich verlieben" and it was released in two different versions on 14 June 2004. The first single contained 4 tracks and 1 video - Making of "Ich will mich verlieben". Two non-album tracks were featured on this release: "Ohne Dich" and "Als ich fortging". The other single contained 5 songs recorded live in Münster during the group's concert on 26 April 2004. Even the pocket version of the CDs featuring two tracks was released.

The single was successful on the German single chart where it stayed for 9 weeks reaching #8.

The video

The video for the song "Ich will mich verlieben" was filmed at Ballhaus Berlin in Chausseestrasse 102.

Willkommen - the single

The third single from the album "Herz" was "Willkommen"  and it saw its release on 13 September 2004. The single came out in two versions. The first single featured two non-album tracks: "Der grösste Trick" and "Alles über uns". The second single contained 5 different mixes of "Willkommen".

On tour

Rosenstolz toured in Germany, Austria and Switzerland both in spring and autumn. The final concert that took place in Berlin on June 12th, 2004 was recorded and released on DVD at the end of the year. (pictures below taken in Berlin-Wuhlheide on June 12, 2004)

Ich will mich verlieben - CD

A limited edition CD entitled "Ich will mich verlieben" featured five live tracks from the April concert in Münster and 15 other songs in studio versions.

The DVD

The live DVD saw its release in the autumn and it featured the whole Berlin concert from 12 June as well as extra material featuring the tour report, dia-show, a short film "Der grösste Trick" and the lyrics to the songs performed during the concert.

Herz - limited edition

On 8 November 2004 the album "Herz" was re-released with 5 bonus tracks added and an extra DVD with the group's latest videos and films.

Ich komm an dir nicht weiter - the single

One more single saw its release in 2004. "Ich komm an dir nicht weiter" came out on 22 November in two different versions. The single entered the German chart where it stayed for 9 weeks reaching #14.

The video featured Peter and AnNa playing Bonnie and Clyde. It was partly filmed in France.

2005

In 2005 the group neither toured nor released a new album. But Rosenstolz worked on their forthcoming album during the year.

Patricia Kaas

Peter and Ulf wrote and produced one song for the French star Patricia Kaas. Kaas who is very popular even in Germany recorded the song "Herz Eines Kämpfers" in Berlin at the beginning of the year. The song in two versions (ballad and pop) was released on Kaas' compilation album "Toute la musique... Best of" which entered the German album chart at the beginning of April 2005.

Peter and Patricia promoted the song on TV.