Radrennbahn Weissensee

BW

The velodrome Weissensee was a great velodrome in Berlin- Weissensee. She lay on the racecourse road named after.

It was built in 1955 on the site of the harness racing track Weissensee. The circuit of the web was according to the classical standard 333 m and was carried out in concrete. The entire area was much larger.

Terms concerts and music festival

In the 1980s the site of the velodrome Weissensee music for major events and multi-day open-air festival was used. From 16 - June 19, 1988, is the biggest rock festival in the GDR took place. Also present were, inter alia, Joe Cocker, The Wailers, James Brown, Fischer-Z, Rain Birds, Bots, Big Country, Marillion and East German bands like City and the tax collectors. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary to Radio One dedicated on October 3, 2013, a 12-hour special broadcast " The summer of 1988, " this unique for GDR youth music summer.

A little later, on July 19, 1988 was here the American rock musician Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is the largest solo concert of GDR history with 160 000 tickets sold officially a 20 Mark of the GDR. Real it was probably between 200000-300000 visitors because by the onslaught of the masses surrendered the forces of order and the roads were free. That was 2.5 percent of all adult citizens of the GDR. From all over the Republic of the fans hitchhiked to the concert or came by train and car.

It was also Springsteen's greatest live performance he has ever given and was based not least on his desire to play once "on the other side." Officially, it was named by the organizers as "Concert for Nicaragua " - Springsteen did not let themselves to be taken, and said the famous words to the audience:

"It's nice to be in East Berlin. I am not for or against any government. I came to play rock 'n roll; that one day all the barriers are destroyed in hope. "

After opening of the Wall on 9 November 1989 offered in August 1990 for the first time the East Berlin fans of the Rolling Stones, the opportunity to see the rock band live on site. As part of its Urban Jungle tour they performed on 13 and 14 August in the velodrome in Weissensee on - they were the only concerts in Germany, with the impressive Steel Wheels stage of the U.S. tour, flown in from the U.S. for this was were carried out. Due to the significantly higher ticket prices and increased security measures viewership as Springsteen could not be reached.

Current usage

In the late 1990s, the circular course of the velodrome was demolished. Today is located on the former velodrome behind a rusty iron fence of a soccer field and a running track.