Monday evening, 25th of May, the show began: The European “legend”, concert promoter Fritz Rau, arrived at Emsdetten (“Poolhausen” – as it was called later), in order to read from his book “50 years backstage”. It was, however, not a reading as in numerous locations before –right at the beginning, the impresario spoke about “a visit at friends”. As early as in the beginning of this year, both managing partners of the POOLgroup, Carl Cordier and Jürgen Schürmann, had the idea for this event. Thus it was obvious that the event could only take place in a location which, as no other location in Emsdetten, is closely related to the concert industry. Cordier, who became acquainted with Fritz Rau 28 years ago, welcame 79-year-old Fritz Rau and took him to his stage in the rehearsal-hall at POOL headquarters, especially arranged for this event in “POOLhausen”.

Rau, no longer actively working in the music scene, had prepared a 90-minute-show – he succeeded in winning more than 130 guests from economy, politics, press as well as from the regional Westphalian music scene. But the audience was not only enthusiastic about Fritz Rau and his anecdotes ranging from the young Hitler boy to the leading “concert ticket seller” in Germany, but also about Dr. Jürgen Schwab, Rau’s guitarist who accompanied him. “At the age of 79 you certainly need a Doctor, who ac-companies you during your tours”, Fritz Rau joked. This doctor, however, played the guitar excellently and always according to each period of time of Rau’s anecdotes. Apart from a lot of new spectators Rau met a few “old fellows”. Thus Steffi Stephan (bassist of the legendary Panic Orchestra), who, just at the beginning, reminded him of his own career start: “I was the worst bassist in the 50’s in Germany….” He underlined this statement revealing a photo which presented him sitting at the contrabass in the legendary Frankfurt Jazz Club “Cave”. “… this picture shows my total despair.“ And then he recognized Hans-Jürgen „Lauti“ Lautenfeld. Immediately this was clear: “….Since we don’t have to talk about payment no longer, I can tell you: Lauti in his function as Technical Manager was the best member of staff I had in those times.” Better late than never - this could be regarded as an ultra compliment, which was rewarded with a spontaneous applause of the audience.

All in all the reading was a successful event. After standing ovations of the audience Rau performed several allowances. Finally Rau reported about a night with Marlene Dietrich he got acquainted during a European tour. Even if this story ended differently to the initial ideas of the audience (Rau, being ill and treated with a breast massage with WICK medicine), the applause did not stop. This allowance was followed by Fritz Rau signing his books and CDs for more than 45 minutes and discussing with his guests. Some of them brought along tickets of the 70s, others asked for signatures at posters hanging around due to the fact that the books were immediately sold out.