Rainald Grebe

Rainald Grebe was born in Bad Kösen, East Germany in 1957. He studied music at the Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler" in Berlin and began performing as a cabaret artist in the late 1970s. His father was a musician, and Grebe grew up with classical music and songwriting around him.

His 1983 song "Achtziger Jahre" became a cultural touchstone in Germany, capturing something about that decade's social and political shifts with its satirical edge. Other songs like "Akademikerinnen" and "Arbeitslos in Grönland" show his range from academic satire to absurdist scenarios. He has released over twenty albums, including "Das Schwert im Mund" in 1987 and "Die Blasse Wut" in 1995.

Grebe's performances often feature a rotating group of musicians, sometimes including pianist Bernd Jestram or singer Katja Riemann. His lyrics tend toward the provocative, dealing with politics, religion, and social norms in ways that have drawn both criticism and appreciation. He put out "Das Abschiedskonzert" in 2020.