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In the night of July 23 to July 24, 1977, the very first of the famous Rockpalast nights being broadcast throughout Europe (another premiere!) took place at the Essen Grugahalle. The first guests on this memorable day evening were Rory Gallagher, Little Feat, and Roger McGuinn’s Thunderbyrd. Many others followed. Forty years – and what a crazy and great time it was! For some musicians, the show was the start of a long and fruitful career (like in the case of Pat Travers or George Thorogood), while several others have already passed (like i.e. Johnny Winter, Lowell George or Champion Jack Dupree). All have given us unforgotten moments in front of the TV set – like the lively Miami party with Kid Creole and his Coconuts, to name just one example.

In MIG’s catalogue there are already nearly 50 of these memorable concerts, and there will be more. On occasion of this jubilee, we are happy to present two completely new Rockpalast DVD/CDs and two rereleases in a new format.

We start with German classic rockband EPITAPH which is also one of the few bands to be invited to a Rockpalast event three times! On August 11, 2017, all three concerts will be available as a 2-DVD/3-CD digipak. Also coming up in a new “dress” is the Rockpalast of MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, in the line-up with Billy Sheehan (bass), Denny Carmassi (drums) and Gary Barden (vocals).

In our humble opinion, TITO & TARANTULA should only release live albums because live, they are at their very best. Probably best known from the cult movie “From Dusk Till Dawn”, TITO & TARANTULA deliver finest dirty Texmex tinged blues rock. The spark immediately ignites the audience, and even if you have seen the band more than once you just can’t withstand this burning heat. It catches you time and again – and suddenly you are sitting in the “Titty Twister” in the first row. Fans will be pleased to even find three complete concerts of the Tarantulas in this edition of Rockpalast: from the years 1998, 2002 and 2008.

From the United States back to Europe, more precise to England to one – as the US Rolling Stone puts it – of the twenty best guitarists of all time: RICHARD THOMPSON, one of the big names of folk rock. In the sixties, as a teenager, he founded with Iain Matthews among others. Fairport Convention. During his long career, Richard Thompson has received countless awards (among them the Order of the British Empire) and his songs have been sung by Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, REM, Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos, Tom Jones, David Byrne, Don Henley and many more. The Los Angeles Times calls him “the best rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix”. We are currently working on two Rockpalast performances of this master, one of 1983 as well as one from 1984 on occasion of the Midem in Cannes.

And let’s not forget to announce another speciality: We are currently working on the Rockpalast concert of MUDDY WATERS.