Pete Doherty Apologises To German Fans

National Anthem goes wrong

Indie icon Pete Doherty has apologised to fans after singing the wrong verse of the German national anthem.

Germany has a complex relationship with patriotism. Cut in two after the Second World War, the nation has toiled with its past a fascist state.

In order to make German national identity more inclusive the country’s anthem was cut short. ‘Das Deutschlandlied’ has been edited to provide something soul stirring, yet still encouraging to others.

However it seems that no one explained this Pete Doherty. The singer took to the stage in Munich on Saturday (November 28th) and attempted to ingratiate himself by playing the national anthem – but played the wrong verse.

Doherty played “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles” (“Germany, Germany above all, above all in the world”), which was the sole verse of the anthem sung in the Nazi era. Since then it has been excluded from the song.

After playing the song to shocked fans Pete Doherty continued for five songs before organisers asked him to stop playing. Radio station Bayerischer Rundfunk was broadcasting the show live, and cut transmission immediately after the incident.

A spokesperson for Pete Doherty contacted Sky News to apologise for the incident. “He was unaware of the controversy surrounding the German national anthem and he deeply apologises if he has caused any offense,” the singer’s spokesperson said..

“Peter himself is from Jewish descent and has fought against racism and fascism with numerous organisations including Love Music Hate Racism,” she added. “This is a subject he feels very strongly about.”

-
Join the Clash mailing list for up to the minute music, fashion and film news.