What is David Bowie doing on the banks of the Rhine?
The Sound of Düsseldorf
What is David Bowie doing on the banks of the Rhine?
Interview with Henk Wyniger, designer and illustrator from Düsseldorf
Henk Wyniger is a freelance designer and illustrator living in Düsseldorf. Before Corona, he took part in our music city tour "The Sound of Düsseldorf" - along the legendary clubs and pubs. On the way, the Boombox plays the most important songs "Made in Düsseldorf". In the midst of the pandemic, Wyniger has now created an illustrated monument to the city tour. We spoke to him about the tour, the two guides and Düsseldorf as a city of music.
Anyone who knows anything about music will first ask themselves: What is David Bowie doing on the Rhine promenade, Henk Wyniger?
Bowie was very interested in the Düsseldorf music scene in the 1970s before his time in Berlin. This is one of the exciting music stories I learned on the city tour.
How did you hear about the city tour "The Sound of Düsseldorf - Iconic music venues and their songs"?
After moving from Cologne to Düsseldorf, I noticed a list of celebrities on the internet who have their roots in Düsseldorf. Among them were many musicians such as Westernhagen, Heino, Campino, Kraftwerk and Doro. I then created an illustration in a Franco-Belgian style, which was based on a classic comic cover. I needed a good title for it and again found one on the Internet. That was my first contact with "The Sound of Düsseldorf".
Was the tour what you expected?
No, not at all! This tour was a real surprise compared to my previous city tours. I hadn't expected to be walking through the old town in a group accompanied by loud music from a boombox, similar to a stag party. A city tour not just for music lovers. The tour provides many surprising insights and tells stories about the Düsseldorf music scene and its influence on the whole world from the past to the present.
"The first record I bought myself was by Kraftwerk."
"The Sound of Düsseldorf" - what did you associate it with before?
The first record I bought myself was by Kraftwerk, and I also associated the Toten Hosen with Düsseldorf. That's basically all I knew about the sound of Düsseldorf.
Which story surprised you the most?
I was actually surprised to learn that Düsseldorf is internationally renowned for electronic music. The story about the band NEU! or the musician Wolfgang Riechmann, who met a tragic end in the old town, made me curious.
Do you have an explanation as to why so much influential music was created in Düsseldorf?
I realize that this city also inspires me a lot. It's very pleasant to work here and you meet a lot of like-minded people. Perhaps it's actually this proximity within this small city that allows the spark of inspiration to spread more quickly to the next person.
How did you experience the two guides, Michael Wenzel and Sven-André Dreyer?
It's as if the two of them did the tour just for this one moment. They are incredibly committed, and you can't help but be infected by their enthusiasm for music and stories.
How did it come about that you have now created a graphic memorial to the tour in spring 2021?
Düsseldorf has more to offer musically than Kraftwerk, Campino and Heino. I decided to redraw my fictitious comic cover without further ado. On the front right you can see the two guides Michael and Sven, who lead us through the story. Then, of course, there is Bowie, who is interested in the Düsseldorf group NEU! . Campino can be seen doing cartwheels as a representative of the punk scene. I was particularly touched by the sad story of Wolfgang Riechmann, the young man in blue behind Bowie. Sitting on the bench is Ralf Dörper, who likes to wear camouflage; I was a fan of his band Propaganda in the 1980s. I don't have to say much about the four robot-like strolling gentlemen with the red shirts and black ties, they are world-famous. There should actually be a lot more people in the picture, it doesn't do justice to the many stories from the tour. Perhaps an update will follow at some point.
You recently published the illustration on Instagram. What if you want to hang the painting on your wall?
If you are interested in my illustrations, you are welcome to visit my homepage or my Instagram channel. I also offer a signed fine art print in my store.
What kind of music did you actually listen to while you were working on the piece?
On Spotify there is a playlist especially for the tour, compiled by Sven and Michael.
Click here for Henk Wyniger's online portfolio.
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Pictures: © Henk Wyniger
