Over the decades, Berlin has welcomed numerous music legends who have left their mark on the capital. While Elvis Presley thrilled an entire generation with his rock ’n’ roll as early as the 1950s and Michael Jackson made headlines worldwide in 2002 with his balcony scandal at the Hotel Adlon, another legendary band had already sent Berlin into a frenzy decades earlier. On September 15, 1965, a Rolling Stones concert at the Waldbühne escalated to such an extent that it left a trail of destruction in its wake. Today, 61 years later, the former site of the riots is one of Europe’s most famous open-air venues.
On September 15, 1965, the Rolling Stones performed in West Berlin for the first time. Around 21,000 mostly young fans flocked to the Waldbühne to see Mick Jagger and his band live. But the atmosphere began to heat up even during the opening act. When the Rolling Stones took the stage around 9:30 p.m., numerous young people broke through the barriers. One fan even jumped on Mick Jagger from behind and ripped his jacket off. The band had to interrupt their performance and ended the concert after only about 20 to 30 minutes in total.
After the abrupt end, the situation completely escalated. Disappointed fans ripped out wooden benches, smashed the furniture, and set fires. Bottles and rocks were hurled at law enforcement officers, who responded with batons, police dogs, and water cannons. The riots lasted several hours and spread to the surrounding area. About 85 people were arrested, and numerous concertgoers and police officers were injured. Property damage totaled several hundred thousand Deutschmarks. The Waldbühne was so severely damaged that its use was restricted for years afterward.
The scandal even had political consequences in the GDR. The SED leadership used the riots as an argument against Western beat music and tightened its cultural policies. Shortly thereafter, 44 of 49 registered amateur beat bands were banned in Leipzig. When young people protested against this on October 31, 1965, the People’s Police intervened violently and arrested 267 people.
It wasn’t until the following decades that the Waldbühne once again developed into a major concert venue. Bob Marley performed there in 1980, and in 1982, the stage received its distinctive tent-roof structure. That same year, the Rolling Stones also returned to the site of their legendary scandalous concert. Further performances followed in 2014 and 2022.
Today, 61 years later, the Waldbühne seats more than 22,000 spectators and is one of Europe’s best-known open-air venues. International rock and pop stars, as well as the Berlin Philharmonic, perform there regularly. Thus, the former site of one of Berlin’s biggest concert scandals has evolved into one of the capital’s most renowned music venues.
