THE PARTY, 22.December 1996

...while we are strolling through the Pücklerstreet...
Bertucchio Office: "We could have a sightseeing of the ´twon until we meet the other two italian fans at 5 p.m."
F.A.T. Office:" It`s so icy. We would prefer to rest in the pub over the Q-club. There it`s warm and we could have dinner."
Somebody is waiting in front of the pub. He is looking curious at our group.
"Are you an Alphaville fan?"
"Yes"
"Ooh we too. From where do you come from?"
"Achern near Freiburg"
"That`s also quite far away. But we are coming from Italy..."
We placed ourselve at a table, talked, ordered our dinner...with the time more fans arrieved at the pub. Our table was the meetingpoint of the international fans: France, Sweden, Denmark...but also some germans. The technician guys from the Kupfermusic carried boxes with technic across the pub down to the cellar. KP came and placed for a smalltalk at our table. Later we welcomed Marion. She said "you are so early here. You have to wait a while". Between the pub was full of Alphaville fans. We all were joyfull surprised as Ricky entered the Q-club and in our joy we all were drumming our fingers on the table. Ricky disappeared in direction toilet. Burkhard followed!
"He won`t speak to him at the Loo?!"
It needed not long and Burkhard returned short behindr Ricky. Proud he raised up his pullover to show us an autograph on his t-shirt. We bursted out laughing. I (Ilwa) said to Uwe:"Let us pay soon, than we can go down if the entrance will start."
Waiter: "Will you all go down? You cannot rest here eternally. I need the table."
Ralf and Bianka came to us:" Have you brought along the photocollage?"
"Yes, we hope you`ll like it. Can we go down, you wanted to make a photo of it?" "No, in the cellar it`s too dark. Let us go to the floor. There`s a light"
We unpacked the collage. Many curious eyes admired the really wonderful collage. Somebody called:"Attention, Marian is coming".
At once Uwe hid it. Marian is so curious. In fact he tried to see a little piece of the thing we hid. But he wasn`t successful `cos Uwe saved it with his life. Bianka said:" Thas was tight!" The entrance started. We pushed through the tight floor. Finally the first members of our local "faithful and true" fanclub arrived. "Hi Yvonne, Hi Kristin!" Wonderfull that you are here. Was it difficult to find ?" "Well, not so easy. We bassed by for several times, but now we are here." "By the way Ricky is here. A short time ago somebody got an autograph from him...at the Loo" (we are laughing) Marion let us inside. Everybody got a stamp on the hand. The Q-club is a cosy cellar-vault, only a little room. At one side there`s a little stage (we know Alphaville will play live for a half hour) on the other side there`s the bar. Nearly to to recognized becuase of the many people in front. The most beleaguer Ricky and Bernd there. Unusuall, normaly Marian is the most beleaguered one. There are some tables and chairs, not enough for everyone. Besides some candlesticks with lightning candles stand around. That gave a warm atmosphere and remembered us that in two days it will be Christmas Eve. But it was also a little bit dangerous :"Attention your pullover is practically burning !" I stand together with Bianka and Marion at the entrance. Many of the guests come with invitations. Marion sent them in a nearly not to make action. The time before was too short. Because of this things Marion couldn`t come to the last concerts.
"Who are you?"
"It would be the best if everybody would say loud the name, so that we know who it is."
I ask Bianka:"How we want to hand over them our photocollage?"
"It would be the best, we hand over it immediately after the short live session. If we all are together.
Yes that`s good. And who will hand over it? We would suggest one person from every fanclub. Then all the others are able to take photos of the procedure."
"That`s right. Then we two girl will go, allright?! Last time Ralf did it."
"Okay! and what we want to say?"
"I don`t know?"
"Maybe that`s a present from the two german local fanclubs..."
"That`s good it`s your turn to say it..."
"Mmhhhh, that was not the way of my thinking, but allright I will do it..."
"Hi, don`t you know me anymore?" I look incredulous into the darkness. He came into the light.
"Ah Matthias, nice to meet you here."
The room is tight filled with about 200 fans.
"That`s Rainer Bloss"
"Really!!? I ever wished to get to know him"
"Yes, and that`s Marians older sister, Uschi"
"I can see the likeness."
About 21.00 o'clock we gone also inside, because we wanted to have some fun, too... time to say hello to old well-known fans and at last to get to know also the still unknown ones.
Uwe:" have you seen Dirk yet?"
"This times he`s here...he was also in Wriezen , but not in Potsdam. So we couldn`t find him."
" I miss Ulrike. She called us specially. Originally she wanted absolutely sure to come here. And have you already seen Madlen?"
"No, but here are so many people, difficult to find someone" We had smalltalks with David, Martin, Bernd and Alex. With Marian we talked very intensive and ample. He tried to stay everywhere for some minutes as far as it was possible. So everybody got the chance to speak with him.
"Do you want to drink a beer?"
"Yes, that would be fine..."
"...what do you get for that?"
" nothing, Alphaville pays everything"...and really, now I saw the notice,too: beer , champagne, wine, Cola...for free.
"Oh boy, they are for all that quite freehanded, that must cost a lot"

We heard a piece of a conversation of KP and Marian .."shall I play the tape now?" He opined the tape with the new Alphaville-song of the new Albums. And it took only a short time till we could finally hear the new songs. We noticed that we hadn`t the chance for a conversation with Ricky.
"Is he half way free at the moment?"
We urged us through all the people and finally we could also talk with him. He is very sympathetic. Patiently he answered all our questions although the most certainly were already asked hundred times tonight.
"With the new album everything will be otherwise. This time the recordcompany is at our side"
" The stuff is very good, yet. The most songs have hit capability"
"When can we calculate with the publication of the album?"
" At the moment it will be at the 21.April next year and the single already at the 21.February."
" Do you already know, which song will be the single?"
"No, we haven`t still decide, but perhaps WISHFUL THINKING"
"We agree, this is a marvellous song and it is already known through the concerts. That would be a good choice"Suddenly everybody raged toward in direction of the stage
"Uwe fetching the camera. I’ll try to reach Bianka ahead because of handover the Collage. and try to take a lot of photos"
As I’m arrived in the first row I need a deep breath. Where is Uwe? Anytime I discovered him in the middle of the second or third row. There he stands quite good. I tried to give him a sign but he didn`t see me. I watched at my clock. Nearly half past 11 p.m. They want to play a half hour . I recognized how Uwe stretched himself Uwe and sought me. I maked myself so large as possible (I`m only 1,50m tall) and became calmed than he discovered me. everything’s okay now.
Bianka to me" look , immediately in front of us there`s the acoustic guitar. Maybe Ricky will play it?" Martin scratched to the piano (the place was small) and Marian gone to the micro, seated on the bar stool in front of it.
"We want to play a couple songs unplugged. But I warn you that's all unpracticed and all without cortisone. At first we’ll play a new song of the new album FLAME. They continued with various of the hitsongs. Marian beged David and Alex at the stage for support. Actually there was no need for Marian to sing . All fans sang in a giant choir with him almost louder than he. The musician were obvious touched of this atmosphere. Actually as the have hour was over normally we wouldn`t had let them left from the stage, but we had compassion with Marians voice. Bianka and me gone at once on the stage with of our Collage. Carefully in order to be no victims of the candles. But we had to wait: at first of all Marian got presents from the band and then distributed his to the band and we stood there like ordered and not fetched.
Ilwa to Bianka" but I won’t speak into the micro"...but I did it after all. I had no chance to refuse. In the following hours we heard again AV music from the tape, danced, sang, drunk and enjoyed ourselve. About 4 o’clock in the morning the band disappeared one by one,covertly. About 5 o’clock we also gone, almost as last and more or less only because the owner of the pub already positioned the chairs overhead. It was probably the best christmaspresent for us and all the others, too. It was hard to say Good-bye. But there`s a hope because Marian promised : "such a party we want to make now every year". So, till next year- same time, same place! will you be there,too?

Thank you to Joachim from Sweden for this photo above.
 
 

FANTASTIC DREAM

Piero. It was a Sunday, and Paolo and I travelled from Luebben to Berlin on the 10.50 train. Looking for a hostel wasn't any easier in Berlin, and the blank looks we got when we asked people as we searched seemed to suggest there wasn't one for miles around! In fact, that wasn't untrue, and it was only thanks to Alex M.'s indications that we were able to find a youth hostel to leave our bags at. After that, I managed to ruin the rest of the day for myself by getting a pizza in a so-called Italian restaurant. I couldn't have another bite of food all day
Giada. When we got up, the first thing we noticed was that Alex B.'s ponytail was still spouting proudly from the top of her head; evidently all the excitement of the concert had no effect...
Alex M. ...or indeed the hostile weather conditions: the air was full of mist and the humidity penetrated us to our bones. Giada. However, it was now time to go to Berlin! In the car, we sang AV songs with Ilwa and Uwe, just to keep ourselves in the mood, while Alex M. turned on the camcorder to immortalise the scenery.
Alex M. We arrived in Berlin at three-thirty and left the car in the parking-lot of the Q-Club, a red building in the heart of Kreuzberg. We went for a walk, but it was too cold, and we soon returned to the club, even if it was still far too early for our meeting with the apostles at 5 o'clock. We found Rene, frozen to the bone, in front of the club; delighted to meet some other early arrivals, he came in with us. The club the party would take place in was underground, underneath a pub on the ground floor. The apostles soon arrived, as well as Frank, and we all settled at a round table placed in a strategic position: far from the bar (so no-one would bother us), close to the entrance (so we could see who was coming in) and next to the door leading to the club and the toilets (so we would see who was going downstairs, who was staying here and who was going to the loo). The hours passed easily: we nibbled and drank, I did some filming, the others took pictures. In the meantime, some more people arrived. Alex and Martin settled down at a table which we unfortunately couldn't see from our vantage point. Some German fans sat down at another table (?but I managed to annoy? them with my camcorder too?). Daniela was there, prattling on about Marian's hair, which he is finally growing ("No, cos I hate it when he has them too long and also when they're short like he had them last year"). And then Tobias arrived, and he was the one Bernd talked to when he came...
Paolo. The giant Professor Bernhard, looking very serious in a long black coat and a pair of pointed Aladdin-style shoes...
Alex M. And then Burkhard, Michael and Joachim arrived with the Danes. KP sat down with us: Paolo stopped asking me a pile of existentialist alphavillian questions I didn't know the answer to ("How does Ricky stand being so far away from the others... and Marian and Bernd, will suffer about travelling so often to France??), and, seizing the bazooka he calls a camera, he took three pictures in a row, forcing KP to stay still for ages. "At least I know one picture will be good," he explained.
Paolo. Marion came in next, and no sooner had she noticed us than she came over with a big smile.
Giada. Then she went off to make a phone call, possibly to Marian, to remind him there was a party tonight!
Piero. A little before eight, the time at which the party was supposed to begin, I went back to the hostel to drop off the fanzines I had just received and to change into something else. I wasn't late, but I half-ran, half-walked all the way and managed to get the wrong street. I lost five minutes looking around, but I finally managed to get back to the restaurant. When I arrived, I was informed that, against all expectations, Ricky had come.
Alex B. I must say, he was the star of the show. After his possible involvement had been denied a few times, his arrival was greeted with a "Ricky, finally!!!".
Alex M. The fans had their little ways as usual. KP went to the loo under close attention from the camcorder, and when Ricky did the same, Burkhard jumped to his feet and bounced in after him.
Giada. They couldn't even be in peace in there!
Alex M. We stared at each other in dismay. What did you want, Burkhard? To feel the elation of responding to the call of nature in the company of a member of Alphaville? Get an autograph tatooed where the sun doesn't shine? Take some dirty pictures to sell to fans at top dollar? Burkhard came out of the toilets with an ecstatic expression: he got an autograph on his T-shirt.
Giada. Marian also arrived, in the company of his girlfriend, and he is really handsome, a lot more so in real life than in the photos. I was happy and spent the rest of the evening with a smile on my lips.
Alex M. Finally, it's party time! We went down the steps to a dark corridor where Marion, seated at a conference table?, checked who was coming in and stamped the hands of all the guests. The stamp is surrealist and virtually beautiful in its absurdity -- the Barbie logo. Marion just shrugged her shoulders: "We couldn't get anything better..." Giada. But who will believe we went to an AV party??
Piero. We were the first to enter the room and I was surprised to find myself face to face with Bernhard and Ricky, who were sitting at the bar chatting. Fortunately, Alex M came and introduced us to the two from Alphaville. As usual, all I could say was "Nice to meet you"!
Giada. It was a pleasure to see them, and especially to discover Ricky really has lovely soft eyes...
Alex M. The club was intimate, lit by candles which warmed up the atmosphere and gave it the air of a bar.
Paolo. And created a romantic effect, with a piano bar...
Alex M. In other words, the evening promised to be absolutely perfect. We Italians took over a central table to enjoy our evening, which now, after a few months, has become a jumble of splendid but unclear memories. Alphaville albums, United, 80s music, and the new album played in the background. I recognised Wish You Were Here and Astral Body (which are now called Wishful Thinking and We Are What We Are, but I've become used to the titles from the live shows), Flame, and another song with the chorus "Won't you be my girl tonight?"... music which was less refined than that of the Breathtaking Blue, less involved than that of Afternoons in Utopia and Prostitute, but splendid nonetheless. Intense, the sort of music which grips my stomach: a music of visceral reactions -- the sort I prefer.
Piero. We were joined by Thomas, whom Alex B knows very well...
Alex B. ...in fact he spent nearly all his time at the table with us, even though he got dragged around (by me) to see other people.
Piero. In very little time, the room was filled with people and it became difficult to even reach the bar to get a drink (beers and drinks were on the house!). There were three different little groups around Marian, one for each member of the band. I chatted a little with Giada, who was the only one who remained seated at the table with me. Alex M, Alex B and Thomas had gone off to say hello to some friends, and I had completely lost sight of Paolo.
Alex M. For a change!
Piero. Shortly afterwards, we noticed Marian had sat down at a nearby table to sign autographs. Giada seized this opportunity too...
Giada. Of course! I did not understand any German, but I knew I could not stay sitting at the table when Marian was chatting only a few meters away, so I joined the others. Yet again, I felt a strange sensation (not an emotion): even standing in the midst of these unfamiliar people, I did not feel embarrassed but quite at ease (something that does not often happen when I'm in a crowd). And then, to see Marian so close... I once had a multitude of feelings for him which are now dormant, but I still retained a deep affection for him. And when he signed, Marian did not write "GIADA"...
Piero. ...but "JADA". She preferred to change names rather than point out the error to Marian, and we followed the autograph circuit going from Ricky to Bernd. Using his notebook, Paolo and I got autographs from everyone around and took pictures of Ricky and Bernd.
Giada. Paolo, in true Italian paparazzi fashion (!), was busy immortalising the magnificient three, and when the flash went off the dark room took was as bright as day!
Alex M. I might just mention at this point that Giada was drinking *beer*!!
Giada. No one was offended, and I was a lot, well, happier! Alex B. continued speaking English, German, and, occasionally, Italian (and she was so enthusiastic!) and by now, she knew everyone. Just like Alex M., who was chatting and walking around the room with her camcorder on her shoulder.
Alex B. Talking about Alex M., I'd like to point out that she proved very resourceful and a very good source of autographs from AV and Co. She moved from table to table with perfect ease, getting autographs, pulling out notepads from goodness knows where, and always saying "I'm working tonight!".
Alex M. What can I say, I have the soul of a stakhanovite... but joking aside: I felt completely at ease with the others and myself on this extraordinary evening, a sensation I have not often experienced in my life. So I went around with a smile and asked for autographs from anyone I came across. Martin remarked on the enthusiasm of the Italian group and thanked me, adding a keyboard to his autograph. Robbie wasn't there, but Alex greeted me with an ironic smile: "Do you want *my* autograph?" "Of course, why not? You're part of the band... and we have nearly the same=

name..." Alex seized the pen and, with an obvious lack of inspiration, wrote out his dedication. As I got his autograph, I asked David if the tour would continue next Spring. "Yes, in fact, the idea is to leave Germany and go elsewhere, perhaps even to Milan, or Rome..." "Great!.. Say, this isn't just you touring with Babylon Zoo or East 17, right?" "No, I'll be with AV... why, don't you like Babylon Zoo and East 17?" Alex B. joined the conversation. "Well, some of Babylon Zoo isn't so bad, but East 17..." I remarked. "OK, we're fans, but we can still criticise," said Bertaggia (something I always say). But David didn't look so sure...
Giada. In the meantime, it was time for my souvenir snapshot, featuring just Marian and me, of course. It turned out I had a great big grin on it!
Alex M. Ricky and Bernd were still at the bar. I got some autographs and started a conversation in French with Ricky, though the results were disappointing. I have grown too used to speaking English, and I found myself saying a "because", and "I think" every second word in French, so I gave up. Paolo came along and we chatted with Ricky about the place he lives in near Biarritz. I spoke about the places I know in France, the famous ones: Paris, the Loire castles, the C=F4te d'Azur... but I don't really know what to say to Ricky and Bernd. I did ask them why neither was present at the concerts (Bernd gave me an evasive answer and Ricky explained he has a family to look after and wants to see his children grow up), but I did not feel confident with them and since I don't like resorting to asking "fan questions", I didn't insist. I might just say that, for all his availability, I think Bernd really wants to be left alone. So I left him alone.
Paolo. Bernd tended to get a little impatient when speaking to other people, especially when they disagreed with him. Then he would wave his arms in disapproval and try to explain his own theories. Every now and then, he would walk away from the others to avoid the questions. He is a shy and reserved person, but also a little forbidding. Ricky, on the other hand, is a lot more amenable and seems, in my opinion, to be a balance between Marian and Bernd.
Alex B. Yes, Bernd has often been described as a taciturn, pensive man with a reserved, introverted personality. But he saw sitting at the bar, chatting happily with anyone who came along, ready to joke and be photographed with all the fans. For many he may remain an enigmatic person, but to me he is an affectionate father, an extraordinary artist and a great brain!
Alex M. So the mystery remains... Leaving Bernd, I also talked to Uschi Schierbaum and her three daughters: all beautiful, all prim and proper (they didn't leave their Mummy's table all evening) and all dancers, like Uschi. We naturally talked about dancing, since I also have 18 years of dancing behind me, and about Uschi's choreography for Parade, which I would love to dance. Uschi invited me to come to her school when and if I someday make it to Cologne. After getting the autographs and taking some photos, I enjoyed the beers and entertainment, and Tobias came to film me: "Ladies and gentlemen, our report from the Alphaville party at the Q-club continued. With us now is Alessandra, from Italy... how are you, Alessandra?" "Oh, I'm fine, quite fine, thank you." "Have you had a chance to speak to Marian?" "A little bit. I asked him if he was drunk yet." "Ah! And is he drunk?" "No, he says he's trying, but he hasn't managed yet." "Good. Alessandra, I must say you have very cute teeth, which is why I'm filming them..." "What???" "Okay, let's forget your teeth and stop here..." Piero. And then came the moment of Marian's interview!
Paolo. Marian is very expansive; with his smile firmly in pace, he relies on a charisma which always carries him to the centre stage, making him the spirit of the party.
Piero. It was a pity I wasn't able to follow most of the interview since I wasn't close enough.
Alex M. But I can tell you all about it: Bertrucchio and the FAT Office asked the questions. With my tape recorder and byro, I looked rather like a real journalist, and I think quite a few people thought our interview was official; people were watching us and filming us... amongst other things because our table was covered in camcorders and cameras, which people kept picking up as they passed. It might well turn out we have some pictures of people we've never laid eyes on, while a bunch of strangers have pictures by us...
Alex B. Even our camcorder fell victim to the craze and changed hands a few times. When we got back to Turin, we found someone had been filming without us knowing!

Alex M. After that, I had a chat with Marion, alone on the conference table. We talked about 1996, what a terrible year it had been, and we wished each other love, fortune and good health, just like in the horoscopes, though neither of us believed it. But maybe being here, confiding in someone and feeling good together was a good sign for the future... I continued to meet new people: in a mix of English and German, I started a weird conversation about legal or illegal drugs with Rene. Then I exchanged a few words with Rudy Nielson, and in the bathroom, Alex B and I chatted with Anna, who confirmed our suspicions about the temperature in this part of the world -- perpetually below zero. Back in the club, I got to meet Rainer Bloss, who...
Alex B. ...who had no sooner arrived than he was the centre of attention. No one had been sure he would come and his presence was very welcome. I was delighted to meet him and he was very friendly.
Alex M. To say the least; Rainer is a very nice fatherly-looking man who shrugs away any compliments as if he didn't deserve them. He was with Janey Diamond, a thin blonde woman with a slightly aloof attitude. I complimented her as well: her lyrics are so beautiful... she thanked me kindly, though a bit distantly, and gave some rather vague answers to my questions, which were vague, but designed to encourage her to give me some more information. She was once an ordinary fan, too, but then she found herself collaborating with Alphaville, and I would love to know how that came about and to understand how she works with them. But Janey didn't want to talk about it, so I didn't insist and went to find Piero.
Piero. Then Alex M. introduced me to Rainer Bloss and Janey Diamond.
Alex M. In the meantime, KP came to pep me up, repeating constantly that I was lovely and that he'd like to marry me... yes, and what about Judith? It occurred to me his eyes were a little too bright when he mentioned his wife... we ended up talking about songs. I told him that, in my opinion, the title "Wish you were dead" was better than "Wishful Thinking", which strikes me as rather ordinary... I got his usual "it's obvious" look which made me feel more stupid than usual. ""Wish you were dead' is too strong, Alessandra." "Exactly. People like strong things." "But they have to get used to them first." "True, but a title like "Wish you were dead" makes you want to hear the song, whereas "Wishful thinking" doesn't." "Right, you would like us to put "Wish you were dead" between brackets after "Wishful thinking". By the say, what do you think of United? "Good God. I've heard so little of it so far... but I can say that I like some of the song very much. On the other hand, I think a title like "For the sake of love" would do well in Italian discos..." I wouldn't have believed it: -- KP's eyes lit up, his expression became more attentive. So now he's thinking about releasing "For the sake of love" in Italy and asked Alex B and me to contact so-and -o and such-and-such, to call here and there... well, I'll never manage to contact or call anyone, because Bertaggia would probably lynch me. "So, what do you think?" insisted KP. "Well, yes... for instance, "No Limits" by 2 Unlimited did very well at home, and it has a similar rhythm and keyboard arrangement..." I forget what saved me from any more of KP's questions, but I was able to enjoy the party after that -- there was even a time for dancing. The Italians were virtually the only ones dancing, but the craziest was Dirk, who was waving his hair around like nobody's business. Piero and I danced a slow -- a moment of intense nostalgia; I remembered dancing my first slow when I was 14, back when I knew nothing of the future that awaited me and thought I would some day become the new Carla Fracci and that I would love forever the boy I had in my arms... I can't thank Piero enough for letting me relive such a tender and melancholic moment. We managed to take a picture of us all with the three members of Alphaville. You only need to tell Marian to do something and he does it, so he was no problem; Bernd...
Piero. Bernd the Giraffe (as Paolo nicknamed him).
Alex M. ...was dragged into the picture in a hurry, and all we needed now was Ricky. Bertaggia decided Piero could do something about this: "Go and get Ricky, you." "*Me*?" Okay, I get it. Up to me to run after the third AV: "Ricky, come and have your picture taken!" And along he came, without so much as a word. I know, it might sound strange, but that's the way Alphaville are: always available for anything, including having their picture taken... So we took three photos.
Giada. But the music was no longer in the background, and became foreground entertainment...
Alex M. Yes, they played live! We gathered around the stage, with me in the first row to film the event. After a few minutes, Marian climbed up on stage with Martin and started talking in German until the fans convinced him to switch in English and he announced a "totally live, totally improvised" show. Great!
Piero. The unplugged session began with Flame, a really beautiful new song. The public around Marian listened in silence until the end and then broke into an explosion of clapping. Paolo. While KP observed the scene from a distance, pensive and attentive...
Alex M. Then Marian sang a strange version of Wish you were dead, strange because it was slower and more sentimental than the original version, but nonetheless very pleasing. It was time to get the band in -- "Where is the band?" Marian started to asked. No sooner said than done: David and Alex picked up the tools of their trade and with a fellow called Jack on percussions, they started Faith.
Paolo. Marian's voice was pure and lively, thanks in part to the sound of the instruments, which was neither electronic nor amplified. Piero. But when Marian went on to the famous songs, his voice became one of many, as the enthusiastic fans joined in the singing.
Alex M. In fact, the concert became a giant choir. A giant choir that continued with Jerusalem, became overwhelming with Sounds Like A Melody, shook the walls with the sound of Forever Young; all arm in arm... except
Piero who had to hold the camcorder and so couldn't participate...
Piero. I'm still apologising for those badly done zoom shots!
Alex M. ...meanwhile, Willy repeated "Alphaville unplugged! We could hardly believe=20it, this was a dream come true!". We were singing so loudly that our own voices nearly covered Marian's. Another song (Apollo, of course) and then Marian announced the next one would be the last: "My voice is completely finsihed".
Piero. Before he had even given the title, the public was chanting its request "Ivory Tower... Ivory Tower!" And so it was! I think that was the best song to finish the show.
Alex M. But the show was not over. Marian finished off with "If the audience is listening", a slow song which sounds a little like "Forever Young", a ballad which kept us literally enchanted. My friends, Willy was right: this was a dream come true! The concert was over. It was Christmas, it was a party, all that was missing were the presents... lo and behold, Martin gave Marian a package. Marian holds it to him with the grin of a happy child, opens it rapidly, bursts out laughing and announces: "Ladies and gentlemen, it's a radio... a clockwork radio!" They gave him a radio you have to rewind like a gramophone! Paolo. And then it was Marian's turn to give out Christmas presents to the band members.
Alex M. They were all little blue packets, and each one had the initials of the person they were for."D.G... Who's D.G.?," asked Marian. "*L*.D.G," said Martin, "Little David Goodes!" We all called David as loud as we could. He arrived, took the package, said thank with British elegance: "Danke." "Oh, David, you've actually learned a word of German," said Marian. The game continued for all the band members, and once the bag was empty, Ilwa and Bianka came forward to give them the collage. Giada. It was actually the poster that kept falling on Bertaggia's hair.
Alex M. Marian showed the collage, gave it to KP and gave one last speech on the microphone: "Okay, let the party continue!" Quite frankly, the party turned into a positive rain of demands. Many had noticed that I was filming, and asked me to give them my address so they could get the cassette. But if you really want to know, I actually feel happy about having to make ten copies of the video, because it means I will stay in contact with the people who were there that night. But now, time to let Piero tell his adventure!
Piero. When "Big in Japan" started playing, I took the microphone stand and started to sing in playback.
Alex M. Then Willy joined in, and when "Forever Young" played, I joined in as well, along with the other Italians and Dirk...
Giada. ...who, with so much long hair, looked rather like Ricky, except with more of a rock'n'roll attitude...
Alex M. ...and this fine choir closed the evening. To tell the truth, we
didn't go straight away, but more and more people left the club, and Alphaville managed to get away too!
Giada. Yes, Marian left without saying goodbye, more's the pity -- just when I was ready to pinch his cheeks, too!
Alex M. I kissed KP, Marion and Martin goodbye, and David taught me an unusual goodbye, and everything from then on was a jumble of bags and packets on shoulders, historical comments on yesterday's events, promises to meet again (at the next party, said KP!). So we survivors sat and chatted at a table, I discussed books with Piero, and then Alphaville with Willy, who described Alphaville's popularity in Denmark -- quite similar to the one in Italy, in fact. Many remember them with pleasure, but nobody knows they still exist. It was a great pleasure to speak to Willy, as it was to speak to all the other foreigners. When you're at home, you tend have more prejudice. One tends to judge people based on the way they dress or speak, and that impression taints the relationship. But with a foreigner, things are different. The way they dress doesn't give cultural or social clues, and everyone has to speak English, which means prejudice doesn't start so easily. The absence of prejudice means that getting to know someone like Willy, who is so different, while having one similarity (the interest in Alphaville, which signifies a certain way of thinking), leads to a deeper relationship. Right. And then Karin arrived...
Alex B. Unfortunately, she arrived late, but didn't hesitate to come over and say hello to us.
Alex M. Poor thing, she had so much to do this week-end, but she just had to be there. She was sweet to us, and kissed Alex B and me affectionately. We asked her about her daughter Luisa, and Karin told us about her with enthusiasm, admitting that she had so much to do these days that Luisa was beginning to miss her, but then what can you do when you have to make a living?
Giada. But it was time for the place to close, so all we could do was go out.
Piero. We said goodbye and promised to see each other on March 2 for the fanclub convention in Milan, where we hope to meet some other Euphorians.
Alex M. Alex B, Giada and I went back to the Micra with Ilwa and Uwe. Goodbye Q-Club, goodbye AV, goodbye fans, goodbye Berlin. But we were still so full of the magic of the evening that we didn't feel sad quite yet.
Paolo. Well, having seen a brilliant concert, joined in an unforgettable party, met a whole lot of Italian and foreign fans, and managed to get to know the whole of Alphaville personally, what more could I ask for? I knew I had experienced something unforgettable, and could go home happy and satisfied. A big hello to all those fans who couldn't make it. See you soon!
Piero. And during my four hours' sleep, I dreamt that Marian brought me up on the stage to let me sing with him. Well, that was the only thing I could wish for after today. I BELIEVE IN MY DREAMS!

Wake-up call

Alex M. When we reached Tegel, we sat at the bar for an hour that went by very rapidly: a quick visit to the loo, a sandwich, a little chat. We were all still a bit stunned, but we weren't tired, and most of all, we didn't feel like parting at all. Goodbyes at the check-in are always difficult and sad.
Giada. All we could say was "Thank you for everything"!
Alex M. But we had to leave, so, hoping to meet again soon, we left the F.A.T. Office. The plane seemed could have been termed an OAP flight, since the youngest steward looked at least fifty. Still, they were very nice, and, noticing our excitement and the bags under our eyes, they even asked if we'd been partying. Well, yes, and what a party! We lost time as well as my suitcase at Milan, but it fortunately turned up on another plane. Then it was time to reverse the outward journey; this time it was bus to Milan, underground to the station. We said goodbye to Giada, who was still trying to come to terms with all the things that had happened to her during the trip...
Giada. Sadly, it was time to go home, tired and worn out, carrying suitcases and memories which will brighten gloomy days... hoping against hope that there will be an opportunity to repeat these splendid experiences.
Alex M. Alex B and I took the train to Turin. During the trip, we did nothing but talk about the holiday... but, oh shock horror! Her ponytail had fallen down! How did that happen?
Alex B. Simple: Martin decided to give me a kiss, not on my forehead, but right on my head!
Alex M. Really? I thought it was indestructible... but that just goes to show, my fellow Euphorians, that anything can happen in Berlin!

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