Ekki Gospelt: Ostschlager Musical Mainstay

Born in Soviet-occupied communist East Germany
 Ekki has delighted audiences in the West

By Anne Ritchie
CSMR Correspondent

HOUSTON -- Ekki Göpelt is one of the leading Ostschlager performers (schlager performers who began their careers in the Soviet-occupied East German socialist state). He's been enchanting audiences in the East and West for a combined total of 40 years.

Born on New Years day 1950 in the war-ravaged Saxon town of Grimsby, young Ekki, became a teacher of music and German. In the early 70s, he performed for the first time publicly as an actor in the cult show "Herzklopfen kostenlos."

His career as a singer began in August 1971, first singing with a group called "Berlin-Sextett," then later going solo.

His first big hit was in the former communist East Germany, a schlager offering, "Begrabt mich in der Kneipe" ("Bury me in the pub").

Since then Ekki has averaged more than one album per year over the length of his entire career.

Lighthearted  and personable, he has also spent much time working as a radio host. For 14 years, he hosted a show in the East called "Antenne Brandenburg Sonntagsvergnügen" ("Radio Brandenburg Sunday fun"). He often works jokes and comedic bits into his radio shows as well as his live singing performances.

After the fall of the Berlin wall, Ekki was the impetus for the creation of the schlager station, Radio Paloma. There he hosts Radio Paloma's "More Fun at Work" show on weekdays and also a weekend show.

A cancer survivor, he lives with his partner, singer and actor Michael Niekammer.

His latest hit single is ("You're Too Good to Be True") which unfortunately does not yet have a video, but keep an eye out for it. It includes the amusing line: "mein Herz geht Achterbahn" ("my heart goes roller coaster"). In the meantime, check out some other great videos of Ekki songs:

In "Der Sonne entgegen" ("Towards the Sun"), Ekki enjoys a river cruise while singing a happy tune:




"Frau Doktor" (no translation needed) is classic schlager with a little touch of his characteristic humor:



And here is "Nichts für die Ewigkeit" ("Not for Eternity"), a jazzy, sort of '60s cocktail lounge, little tune with an awesome video: