Ton Steine Scherben

Today, after the band's demise in 1985, and the death of Rio Reiser in 1996, Ton Steine Scherben have retained a cult following and popularity in the related scenes.

Singer Rio Reiser usually told journalists the name was taken from a description by pioneer archeologist Heinrich Schliemann of what he saw when he first came to the site of ancient Troy.

A house right next to the stage went up in flames while they were still playing;[2] it has been alleged that it had been set on fire by the security personnel who had just received news that the event's organizers had disappeared with all the revenues.

[2] Still many people believed that Ton Steine Scherben had set the stage on fire, which gave them tremendous credibility in the radical scene.

Later Ton Steine Scherben toned down on political issues and explored more personal themes like freedom, love, drugs, and sadness.

[1][2][4] They also contributed to two full-length concept albums about homosexuality which were issued under the name Brühwarm (literally: boiling warm) in cooperation with a gay-revue group.

The gay rights activist and avant-garde director Rosa von Praunheim repeatedly gave Rio Reiser artistic suggestions.