How David Hasselhoff Is Connected To The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

When people hear the name David Hasselhoff, they may have different reactions. Some may instantly hear the "Knight Rider" theme music and envision a black Trans-Am driving toward them. Others may imagine the "Baywatch" theme and think of slow-motion running on the beach, per IMDb. Some may remember an embarrassing video of a drunk man talking with his daughter, from the Daily Mail. There are those, mostly German, who fondly recall a man who was a famous singer. But who would put Hasselhoff in the history books as someone who supposedly helped usher in the fall of the Berlin Wall?

No, "the Hoff" was not standing alongside other Germans as they pounded on the barrier that had kept East and West Germany apart for far too long. He didn't drive KITT through the wall, either — though that would have been a cool moment on "Knight Rider." According to The Washington Post, they credited his music for giving them the inspiration to spread freedom throughout Germany. 

Before the wall came down, David Hasselhoff was no stranger to Germans. According to NPR, he began a singing career in 1985, and his music took off in Germany. Fans met him with constant adoration, and his concerts always did well there. He released an album called "Looking for Freedom" in 1988, and it took Germany by storm. The title track was the one that really spoke to them, and they basically adopted it as their anthem. The people in East Germany, whose freedoms were severely curtailed by the Soviet Union, began to rumble more, and it eventually spilled over into the tearing down of the wall, a truly amazing moment in human history. Apparently, some people were even humming the song as they broke it down. 

NPR also noted that Hasselhoff took no credit for the historic event. He told the media that he was just someone who happened to have a song that resonated with the German citizens. Germany remains a free country, and they still adore "the Hoff," who still performs there. He had a 30th anniversary show in 2019 in Berlin that drew many people. While his music may not be beloved in America, he will always have a place in German hearts and minds.