Karat

Karat, a pioneering German rock band, formed in 1975 in East Berlin from the remnants of jazz-rock group Panta Rhei, blending progressive rock with melodic hooks that captivated audiences across the Iron Curtain. Their 1982 album *Der blaue Planet* became a massive hit, selling over 1.3 million copies and topping charts in both East and West Germany, while timeless tracks like 'Über sieben Brücken mußt du geh'n'—famously covered by Peter Maffay—cemented their legacy; they earned East Germany's National Prize in 1984. Despite lineup shifts, the 1998 stroke and 1999 passing of iconic frontman Herbert Dreilich, and a brief 2006 name change to K...! amid legal battles, Karat's enduring live energy and chart success keep them rocking stages today.