"I know how much Cologne people are attached to the carnival," explains Wolfgang Niedecken. But it "would be irresponsible if we celebrated".
Does the carnival fall through the water due to the corona crisis? "I simply cannot imagine carnival this winter in the midst of the pandemic. It's bitter, but that's how it is," said Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) a few weeks ago.
BAP front man Wolfgang Niedecken (69) can understand the concerns, but as a native of Cologne, he sympathizes with the carnivalists. "It's no secret that I'm not the biggest carnival fan. But I feel so sorry for the people. I know how much Cologne people are attached to the carnival and how many musicians depend on it," he explains in an interview with the news agency spot on news.
"An economic dilemma"
All earnings break away from the artists. "In this short time they have to earn enough to be able to support their families for the rest of the year. That is an economic dilemma," says Niedecken. "On the other hand, it would be irresponsible for us to celebrate."
Niedecken is also currently missing being on stage. "I can't even imagine just making records and not going on tour anymore." On March 30th, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, a big concert is planned in Cologne's Lanxess Arena. "The appointment is blocked and we will try to get it going. But in the absence of a well-functioning crystal ball, I cannot yet say whether it will work. The coronavirus still has a say in this."
On September 18, the new album "Everything flows" by his cult band BAP will be released.