The wild disco nights in Dragun: a review of the 90s!

In the DISCKOKE Freestyle in the village of Dragun, DJ Christian Durhack played the hit "Special Zug to Pankow" by Udo Lindenberg in 1990, a few months after the turn. This happened at a time when such music was largely undesirable in the GDR. During his appearances, which he held three times a week, he changed with a DJ from the Schwerin music shop. At that time, strict conditions, such as the light at 10 p.m., were considered to be closed and closed the discotheque for under 16 year olds to ensure the security concept in the Haus der Jugend in Gadebusch.

DJ Christian Durhack, 59 years old and active since the 1990s, had his first appearances as part of the nightlife in Dragun. The history of the discotheque, in which he played, extends over a total of 14 years and is characterized by exuberant celebrations and events such as beach parties, wheelbarrow races and the election as "Miss Nasses T-shirt". His story is particularly remarkable as a DJ, since he fell through a DJ test committee in 1987, but finally passed the fourth attempt.

The development of the disco culture in the GDR

Discotheque in the GDR was created at the end of the 1960s, on the initiative of FDJ singing clubs. The first public discotheque was presented in 1968 by the Berlin October Club. As early as 1970 there were only about ten discos in the GDR; Two years later it was over a thousand, which illustrates the rapid development of this entertainment service.

From 1972 a player permit was necessary for DJS. In order to implement the so-called 60/40% regulation-60% national and 40% international title-it was decided to produce more music. This regulation led DJs to be referred to as record entertainers or disco moderators and had to regularly take aptitude tests. In order to be able to survive in the disco culture, they often had to build their technology themselves, since the officially provided technology was often of less quality.

An important element of the DJ work was compliance with AWA requirements in order to protect copyrights. The reality in the discos often did not meet the official requirements; The young people searched for a place to dance and contacts. Discos were often held in dining rooms of large factories or youth clubs.

With the fall of the wall in 1990, after which DJ Christian Durhack gained his experience, the career of many DJs also ended because the music landscape and nightlife changed fundamentally.