The Polars

The Polars are a beat band formed in Gotha in 1962 and are considered East Germany's oldest rock band. After repeated performance bans in the GDR and several name changes (including Wostoks and Reiner-Fritzlar-Combo), they resumed performing as The Polars from 1981 onward. Since German reunification they have toured internationally, including Sweden and Finland, and released several CDs; since 2022 guitarist John Idan (The Yardbirds) has performed with the band.