For decades Peter Urban has shaped the landscape of German radio – as a legendarily dry commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest, as a presenter of various music programmes, and now also as a podcaster. A pop music expert, he has been observing the national and international music scene for almost 50 years with his trademark frankness and unpretentiousness, and over the course of his long career he has met, interviewed and profiled countless giants of the music industry – from Keith Richards to Yoko Ono, David Bowie, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Harry Belafonte and Eric Clapton. In this book he presents his memoirs: the soundtrack to a life which, both at work and at home, has always been shaped by music.
The journey begins in the 1950s in Lower Saxony, where the Urban family make a new home for themselves after fleeing from the Sudetenland. Peter Urban comes into contact with music at an early age as part of the family orchestra “Urbani”. His passion is not for classical music, however, but for the new music coming out of Britain. The 1960s mark the beginning of his lasting love affair with the country (his other great love is the football club Hamburger SV, where he occasionally acts as a stadium commentator). Later, his interest in new styles will become key to the great success of his music programmes. This book paints a picture of an eventful life and is, at the same time, a piece of international music history “made in Hamburg”.
“When you think of Eurovision, you think of Peter Urban. The man is a cult and a piece of radio history.” Regine Marxen, Der Hamburger
“Peter Urban’s voice is full and warm. It sounds like a cup of cocoa tastes: rich and creamy.” Imre Grimm, RND
