Wind of Change
History
About
It’s 1990. The Berlin Wall just fell. The Soviet Union is on the verge of collapse. And the soundtrack to the revolution is one of the best selling songs of all time, the metal ballad “Wind of Change,” by the Scorpions. Decades later, journalist Patrick Radden Keefe heard a rumor: the song wasn’t written by the Scorpions. It was written by the CIA. This is his journey to find the truth. Wind of Change is an Original Series from Pineapple Street Studios, Crooked Media and Spotify.
Episodes
- Special Preview: "London Falling" by Patrick Radden Keefe
This episode previews Patrick Radden Keefe's book "London Falling," recounting the mysterious death of Zac Brettler and his parents' subsequent investigation into his hidden life. The preview includes the audiobook prologue read by the aut…
- Introducing Dreamtown: The Story of Adelanto
In 2014, a stranger proposed legalizing commercial weed cultivation in Adelanto, a bankrupt California desert city. This plan aimed to make Adelanto the first city in Southern California to embrace the cannabis industry.
- Bonus #3 - Scorpions Live from New York | Fundraiser For Ukraine
Patrick Radden Keefe attended a Scorpions concert in New York to hear
- Special Preview: "Rogues" by Patrick Radden Keefe
Wind of Change presents an exclusive preview of Patrick Radden Keefe's new audiobook, Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks. The excerpt focuses on the story of an arms trafficker known as the Prince of Marbella.
- An Avocado Revolution | Introducing 544 Days
This episode introduces '544 Days,' a new podcast from Gimlet, Crooked Media, and A24, detailing the arrest and imprisonment of The Washington Post's Tehran correspondent Jason Rezaian and his wife in Iran's Evin prison in July 2014.
- Out Now: Bonus Episodes
Wind of Change has released two bonus episodes with unique stories. The first episode, 'The Love Song of Joanna Stingray,' is available now on Spotify, with 'Rocking Venezuela' to follow on July 13.
- 8. Hello, Klaus
In Hanover, Germany, Patrick meets with Klaus Meine to discuss his biggest hit song as part of the Wind of Change investigation.
- 7. Rorschach
During a boat ride in Moscow, the podcast host fears the investigation might be CIA propaganda, or worse, propaganda from KGB successors, as pointed out by his Russian fixer.
- 6. The Doctor Is In
In 1982, The Scorpions' manager Doc McGhee was allegedly involved with a drug smuggling ring including Manuel Noriega. While others faced prison, McGhee did not, and instead threw a festival in Moscow. This episode explores the reasons beh…
- 5. I Follow The Moskva
In 1989 Moscow, the Music Peace Festival featured artists like the Scorpions, Bon Jovi, and Ozzy Osbourne. Patrick details the event, which inspired the Scorpions' song "Wind of Change."
- 4. The KGB Rock Club
In 1988 Leningrad, Patrick follows leads on a story involving the Scorpions and the CIA, eventually seeking contact at a GI Joe convention. A former CIA officer suggests ongoing collaborations between musical artists and the agency.
- 3. America’s Secret Weapon
This episode of Wind of Change investigates the Cold War actions of the CIA, focusing on the alleged use of a popular singer and a potential undercover officer accompanying the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on a 1977 tour.
- 2. You Call It An Operation, We Call It A Performance
In Kyiv, Ukraine, 2019, Patrick attends a Scorpions concert and observes the political message of “Wind of Change” resonating with fans. The episode also explores inquiries into the CIA's connection to the band.
- 1. My Friend Michael
In 2011 Langley, Virginia, investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe investigated a rumor that the CIA wrote the Scorpions' song "Wind of Change," which was associated with the end of the Cold War.
- Wind of Change, coming May 11
Journalist Patrick Radden Keefe explores the potential CIA origins of the power ballad 'Wind of Change' and its role in Cold War espionage.