Konstantin Wecker
[Image:1986 Wecker 535x350.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Wecker in concert, 1986]Konstantin Alexander Wecker is a German Liedermacher who also works as a composer, author and actor.
Life and work
Wecker was born in Munich. Classically educated at the Wilhelmsgymnasium, Wecker got one of his first jobs as a songwriter at Munich's cabaret "Münchner Lach- und Schießgesellschaft" in 1973. His breakthrough as a singer came in 1977 with the record Genug ist nicht genug, which includes the popular talking blues "Willy," about a presumably close friend of Wecker's who was slain by drunken Nazis.Wecker has released more than forty albums, and has also composed music for film, theater, and children's musicals.
In 2003, Wecker became a public opponent of the Iraq War, joining his leftist Liedermacher colleagues Hannes Wader and Reinhard Mey.
In March 2006, Wecker was forced to cancel a scheduled performance in the small town of Halberstadt, Saxony-Anhalt. This came after the far-right National Democratic Party pressured local authorities and threatened to forcibly disrupt the concert. Wecker pledged to return to Halberstadt in the summer of 2006, and eventually performed in Halberstadt on 17 June 2006, accompanied by fellow singer-songwriter Hannes Wader and Afghan percussionist Hakim Ludin.
2025 accusations
In November 2025, Wecker was accused of having had an abusive relationship with a 15-year-old pupil in 2011 and 2012, according to research done by the Süddeutsche Zeitung. The accuser states that Wecker did not engage in sexual intercourse with her until she turned 16, which is the age of consent in Germany for most purposes. Wecker's actions and communications with the accuser have been described as manipulative, jealous and malicious. Wecker has apologized for the relationship, but did not admit all accusations - he said that his alcoholism means that he barely remembers the period in question. The victim's lawyer advised her that Wecker's actions were a legal grey area. The accuser ultimately did not seek criminal charges, although she remains impacted by the relationship and has spent time in a psychiatric hospital.Selected works
Albums
- 1972: Die sadopoetischen Gesänge des Konstantin Amadeus Wecker
- 1974: Ich lebe immer am Strand
- 1977: Genug ist nicht genug
- 1978: Eine ganze Menge Leben
- 1979: Live
- 1980: Liederbuch
- 1981: Live in München
- 1982: Das macht mir Mut
- 1984: Inwendig warm
- 1987: Wieder dahoam – Live in Austria
- 1989: Stilles Glück, trautes Heim
- 1993: Uferlos
- 1996: Gamsig
- 1998: Brecht
- 2001: Vaterland
- 2005: Am Flußufer
- 2006: Politische Lieder
- 2007: Alles das und mehr
- 2011: Wut und Zärtlichkeit
- 2012: Wut und Zärtlichkeit
- 2015: Ohne Warum
- 2017: Poesie und Widerstand
- 2018: Sage Nein! Antifaschistische Lieder 1978 bis heute
Collaborations
- 1988: Joan Baez / Konstantin Wecker / Mercedes Sosa: Three worlds, three voices, one vision
- 1999: Jutta Richter / Konstantin Wecker: Es lebte ein Kind auf den Bäumen // book and CD
- 2001: Konstantin Wecker / Hannes Wader: Was für eine Nacht
- 2003: Reinhard Mey / Hannes Wader / Konstantin Wecker: Das Konzert
- 2010: Konstantin Wecker / Hannes Wader: Kein Ende in Sicht
Filmography
Mein ganzes Herz ist voll Musik, West Germany 1959, Musikfilm Die Autozentauren, West Germany 1972, TV film Love in 3-D, West Germany 1973, 93 min., Sexfilm, The East Frisian Report, Der Ostfriesen-Report: O mei, haben die Ostfriesen Riesen, West Germany, 1973, 80 min., Komödie / Sexfilm Unterm Dirndl wird gejodelt, West Germany 1973, Sexfilm Geilermanns Töchter – Wenn Mädchen mündig werden, West Germany 1973, Sexfilm Liebesmarkt – Matratzen-Horchdienst, West Germany 1973, Sexfilm Beim Jodeln juckt die Lederhose, West Germany 1974, Sexfilm Sisters, or the Balance of Happiness, West Germany 1979, 95 min., Frauenfilm / Drama Die Weiße Rose, West Germany, 1982, 123 min., Politthriller / Biografie', West Germany 1983, 110 min., Drama / Jugendfilm Sag nein, West Germany 1983, 98 min., documentary Ende der Freiheit, West Germany 1983, 85 min., documentary- '