‘Media Outrage’ Over Hitler Remark

Rising German hip-hop star Peter Fox was the big winner at the Echo awards in Germany, but much of the national newspaper coverage has centered on a controversial remark from show host Oliver Pocher.

Fox won three of the 27 awards, but that seems to have been overshadowed by Pocher’s quip about Adolf Hitler. The public and media are “outraged.”

“I’ll be back in Berlin April 20,” Lionel Richie said as he picked up a special achievement award at the awards ceremony Feb. 21 at O2 World Arena.

“That’s a special day for us,” Pocher responded, apparently making what’s been described as a “tasteless” reference to Hitler’s birthday. Some papers dismissed the remark, claiming Pocher is known for being something of an agent provocateur with an edgy sense of humour.

Apart from Fox, who won awards (best national/international hip-hop act, national critics’ prize and a production award) the other German award winners included Udo Lindenberg (rock/pop artist), Ich + Ich (national rock group), Die Ärzte (national rock/alternative), Thomas Godoj (best German newcomer) and Rosenstolz (best video).

Amy Winehouse did best of the international acts and picked up Echoes for best international rock/pop artist and album of the year.

Coldplay was best international rock/pop group, AC/DC took best rock/alternative/heavy metal international, and Amy Macdonald was named best international newcomer. Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long” was voted hit of the year.

Paul Potts won best international male artist, an award Robbie Williams won every year between 2002 and 2007.

The 10,000-capacity crowd saw live performances from U2, Depeche Mode, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Paul Potts, Razorlight and Amy Macdonald as well as national acts Die Toten Hosen and The Scorpions, which took the lifetime achievement award.

The show, which is run by the Deutsche Phono-Akademie recording association, was broadcast live by ARD for the first time. It lasted three hours and was seen by 3.07 million viewers.