Germany's Defense Minister Rocks Out

Last night in Berlin, Germany's recently resigned defense minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg received a unique hard rock farewell from the military.

Last night in Berlin, the Bundeswehr conducted a stunning farewell ceremony for Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, the country’s recently resigned defense minister. Prior to performing the “Grosse Zapfenstreich” – the most important German military ceremony dating back to the 16th century and which involves more than 400 soldiers, including a military band, two platoons of armed infantrymen and two lines of soldiers carrying torches – the Bundeswehr Musikkorps played Deep Purple’s 1972 hit song “Smoke on the Water” The scene looked surreal.

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who is an avid AC/DC fan, seemed to thoroughly enjoy this surprise performance. Despite his recent resignation over a plagiarism scandal, Mr. zu Guttenberg continues to rank as Germany’s most popular politician with approval ratings reaching 73 percent. There is already widespread speculation that he will re-enter the political fray in the coming years. The “Grosse Zapfenstreich” is after all both a farewell and a welcoming ceremony reserved for German presidents, chancellors and defense ministers.

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