Skip to main content

Popol Vuh on Television

1. POPMUSIK IN DEUTSCHLAND (1970)

A documentary made for television in 1970 by Peter Pohle. Broadcasted 1971-11-10 by ARD at 22.05.

Pohle: "The film featured 5 Music groups which were important at that time, including Tangerine Dream, Amon Düül and Guru Guru. There was some talk with Popol Vuh within the feature, I think that Veruschka - friend of Holger and well known model - served some tee. We shot at the Pfarrhof near München where they were living. I have no idea whether any material still exists. We shot it on 16 mm. Cameraman was Gerard Vandenberg."(from correspondance, 2023-04-02)

Probably 'Improvisation' comes from this documentary. It was shown in 'Pop 2000' (4) and in 'Deutschrocknacht 1' (6). Fifth group was The Can.

2. Deutschlandspiegel 198 (3.3.1971)
3. UFA-Dabei 768 (13.4.1971)

Rare footage from Miesbach-times at the Bundesarchiv! A news-item in two slightly different versions, both broadcasted in 1971.
For Deutschlandspiegel 198 go to: 6:08. For UFA-Dabei 768 go to: 5:30.
In a shortend version broadcasted again in 1979: Deutschlandspiegel 295

4. BEATCLUB (24.04.1971)

Bettina

First aired: april 24, 1971 (Beatclub nr.66)
Guests:
Yes - "I've Seen All Good People" & "Yours Is No Disgrace"
Man - "Will The Christians Wait Five Minutes" (and 1 other song)
Popol Vuh - "Bettina" (all synthesizer piece)
War Horse - "I Can't Face It No More Without You Santana

'Bettina' is played by Florian Fricke (moog), plus Holger Trülzsch and Norman Zie both on percussion. It is the first and last appearance of Norman Zie, who, according to Bettina Fricke, was a studiomusician or colleague of Holger Trülzsch.

See: Youtube.

5. 1972-1973

Kyrie

'Kraut und Ruben' (5) & 'Deutschrocknacht 2' (7) showed both a semi-live performance of Popol Vuh in their 'Hosianna Mantra' days. Both items are not completely the same. One of them has a short conversation with Florian Fricke.
Probably this was broadcasted in the 70s shortly after 'Hosianna Mantra' was released.
It features Florian Fricke, Conny Veit, Djong Yun, Robert Eliscu, Klaus Wiese and Bettina Fricke.

See: Youtube

6. POP 2000 (12.05.2002)

Part of 'Improvisation'

POP 2000 - 50 Jahre Popmusik und Jugendkultur in Deutschland
Zwölfteilige TV-Dokumentationsreihe - ARD
Teil 5: Keine Macht für niemand (1970-1976)
Ein Film von Tom Theunissen

Full length in 'Deutschrocknacht 1 (6). It features Florian Fricke (moog), Frank Fiedler (assistance) and Holger Trülzsch (percussion).

See Youtube: 

7. POP 2000 (12.05.2002)

Improvisation (Fragment)

POP 2000 - 50 Jahre Popmusik und Jugendkultur in Deutschland
Zwölfteilige TV-Dokumentationsreihe - ARD
Teil 5: Keine Macht für niemand (1970-1976)
Ein Film von Tom Theunissen

Full length in 'Deutschrocknacht 1 (6). It features Florian Fricke (moog), Frank Fiedler (assistance) and Holger Trülzsch (percussion).

See: Youtube 

8. KRAUT UND RÜBEN (16-17.3.2006)

Kyrie
Bettina

Kraut und Rüben - Über die Anfänge deutscher Rockmusik
Die ultimative Krautrock-Doku in sechs Teilen
von Stefan Morawietz
Teil 6 - Elektrische Impulse
Broadcasted by WDR Fernsehen

A semi-live performance of Popol Vuh in a living room during their 'Hosianna Mantra' days. It also has Florian Fricke speaking on their music.

9. DIE DEUTSCHROCKNACHT 1 (5-6.08.06)

Improvisation

Broadcasted by WDR Fernsehen

10. DIE DEUTSCHROCKNACHT (12-13.08.06)

Bettina
Kyrie

Broadcasted by WDR Fernsehen
* 'Kyrie' is shown here without the fragment where Florian Fricke goes into some aspects of their music.

11. ROBOTER ESSEN KEIN SAUERKRAUT (28.08.08)

Improvisation (Fragment)

Documentary by Stefan Morawietz
Broadcasted by ARTE