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Karussell

1976–present

Ostrock

About Karussell

One of the DDR's most significant rock bands, formed in Leipzig in 1976. Under frontman Dirk Michaelis, their 1987 ballad 'Als ich fortging' became a Wende hymn — its lyrics about departure took on new meaning as East Germans fled westward in 1989. The song remains one of the most iconic German-language ballads.