"A beautiful town on the banks of the Rhine" Sankt Goarshausen by jessicadf

Sankt Goarshausen Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 47 photos

Loreley Amphetheater - Sankt Goarshausen

Site of Loreley, a legend and a concert venue

There is a legend of Loreley, a woman that would entice sailors on to the rocks... and then there is the legend of when Jefferson Starship were scheduled to play a concert at the Loreley Amphetheater in 1978... On that date, Grace Slick was too sick to perform, and Paul Kantner said he would not perform if Grace did not. Thus, the show had to be canceled. The concert-goers had waited in the rain all day, listening to folk music. So when my father, a member of the band, got on stage to apologize and tell the audience that they could not play, but their money would be refunded and the band would come back and play before the band returned to the U.S.A., the crowd rioted. They destroyed the stage, burned the stage canopy to the ground, destroyed as many instruments as could be found...

Now, jump forward to June 19, 2005. Jefferson Starship was on the bill for the 3 Days of Peace and Love concert at Loreley. This time they took the stage, played the best gig of their tour, and wowed the fans. Dad sang gorgeously, and my husband and I happened to be there to witness their triumphant return. Not only that, but it was Father's Day (in the U.S.) Hurrah!!

When the crowd started rioting...

Dad at his near prison... er... protection

...they immediately started throwing wine and beer bottles and whatever else they could find. The promoter tried to usher my father in to a bunker, with the idea of locking him in for his safety. My father said something along the lines of, "There's no way that I, a Jew, am going to be locked away in a bunker amidst a bunch of rioting Germans!" Instead, he donned a leather jacket and walked around, nobody recognizing that he was the one who'd just announced the cancelation. He casually walked out to the rental car and zoomed away with some of the crew (and a trunk full of guitars and equipment).

27 years later...

Mark me and Dad, back stage

...Mark, me and my father pose back stage, with the beautiful Rhine below us.

Last visit to Sankt Goarshausen: Jun 2005
Intro Updated Jul 3, 2005
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (4)

The guys enjoy a beer in the pub - Sankt Goarshausen

Old and lovely hotel on the Rhine Hotels (1)

This is where Dad and his band spent a couple of days off during their tour. Dad said he really enjoyed his stay here,... more travel advice

Delicious food and beer Restaurants (1)

My father stayed in Sankt Goarshausen for a couple of days off during their tour. He and his bandmates really enjoyed... more travel advice

Waiting to cross the river - Sankt Goarshausen

Crossing the river? Find the ferry! Transportation (1)

When driving around St. Goar or St. Goarshausen and you want to cross the river, you must take a ferry. Well... there... more travel advice

Backstage at Loreley - Sankt Goarshausen

Loreley Amphetheater Things to Do (1)

This is a beautiful outdoor theater, on the cliffs above St. Goar / St. Goarshausen and the Rhine river. It is one of... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Jul 3, 2005

4 photos

Jefferson Starship Plays Loreley

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (12)

JulchenSC Aug 16, 2010 at 2:03 AM Report Abuse

it's an overpriced hotel. The wine prices are about 2x as much as other local places. A glass of wine is 3-4 Euros. Also, it's not possible to get tab water. They say it's against the law, which is not true. The place is a rip-off tourists.
mvtouring Oct 31, 2007 at 4:06 AM Report Abuse

Very nice insight to St Goar, thanks for sharing ;-)
Redlats Apr 4, 2006 at 12:19 PM Report Abuse

What an interesting reason to visit St. Goar! We just drove by and crossed the Rhine on that same ferry.
globetrott Mar 16, 2006 at 2:15 PM Report Abuse

an interesting page bringing back great memories ! It is a pity I did not see that Amphetheatre on top of loreley ;-((
zanzooni Sep 23, 2005 at 10:37 PM Report Abuse

Yeah, by the end of the 70's, peace, love and all that good rot was starting to be replaced by capitalism..Wow, wish I could have been at that 2005 concert...what a line up!!~
tini58de Sep 13, 2005 at 1:30 AM Report Abuse

That must have been a very special visit for you and your husband - and for your dad, too! Thanks and greetings from Germany!
willy_wonka Jul 26, 2005 at 6:08 PM Report Abuse

i have been to st goar!! its a charming little town thats for sure. you are lucky though, you had sunshine by the look of it, and got to see your dad perform. cool stuff gal! xxx
keida84 Jul 6, 2005 at 11:04 AM Report Abuse

Ein Radler bitte? Your pages are coming along, give me a heads up when you are done & I will come back through. How cool is the Loreli? Lorely? Business class is sweet, ja ja ja ja! Sounds like you had a great time!!!
ATXtraveler Jul 5, 2005 at 4:49 AM Report Abuse

Danke Schon fur dieser pages.
Ken_Weaver Jul 4, 2005 at 1:12 PM Report Abuse

Definitely a different story that any of us could tell....Must have been neat seeing your Dad play there!