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Ernst Busch

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Ernst Busch was a German singer and actor, born in Kiel in 1900 into a working-class family. He first worked in a shipyard before using his talent for the stage and for singing. In the Berlin cabaret of the 1920s he broke through as an interpreter of political songs, above all those of Kurt Tucholsky. In 1928 he appeared in the original production of Bertolt Brecht's Dreigroschenoper and in 1931 in Pabst's film version. In the film Kuhle Wampe he sang the Solidaritätslied.

Music and breakthrough

Busch was a communist all his life. In 1933 he fled Nazi Germany, first to the Netherlands, then to the Soviet Union. In 1937 he joined the International Brigades in Spain, and his war songs were broadcast by Radio Barcelona and Radio Madrid. After the fall of the Republic he was interned in Belgium and later imprisoned in France and Berlin. In 1945 the Red Army freed him. He settled in East Berlin, founded his own record label and worked with Brecht and Erwin Piscator at the Berliner Ensemble.

Influence

In the GDR he became a beloved figure, known as Galileo in Brecht's Leben des Galilei and as a singer of workers' songs, including many songs by Hanns Eisler. He also sang a remarkable version of Peat Bog Soldiers. His voice is raw and direct, meant to convey a message. His releases include Chronik in Liedern, Kantaten und Balladen in several volumes and Ernst Busch singt Brecht. He shows how closely politics and song could be intertwined in the twentieth century. He died in 1980.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Peat Bog Soldiers in Busch's performance and notice how he almost speaks the text, with a march rhythm that drives the song forward.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Categories: Artists