This concert was arranged by the West German Metal Union "IG Metal", who invited Wolf Biermann to a concert in West Germany. Over 10 000 signatures were collected to allow him to leave East Germany for a performance. After permission from East German authorities it was highly reported in the West German media. The concert took place on the 13th November 1976 and was broadcasted live on the radio of WDR, as well as later a 2-hour version was broadcasted on the 17th November on WDR Television, as well as the complete 3,5 hours concert on the main TV station ARD on the 19th November 1976. After the actual concert GDR leader Erich Honecker requested a deprivation of citizenship for Biermann due to the "harm of his citizen's duties". This caused to big protests in East Germany.