Ferry says sorry for lauding Nazi iconography

By Karen McVeigh
Tuesday April 17, 2007
The Guardian

Bryan Ferry has apologised for remarks he made praising Nazi iconography. The 61-year-old singer sparked condemnation from Jewish leaders after he was quoted in a German newspaper describing the aesthetic behind Nazi Germany as "just amazing".

In an interview with Welt am Sonntag, Ferry also revealed that he calls his studio in west London his "Fuhrerbunker". He said: "My God, the Nazis knew how to put themselves in the limelight and present themselves. I'm talking about Leni Riefenstahl's movies and Albert Speer's buildings and the mass parades and the flags - just amazing. Really beautiful."

The singer, who is also a model for Marks and Spencer, issued a statement yesterday in which he said he was "deeply upset" by the negative publicity his remarks had caused. It added: "I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by my comments on Nazi iconography, which were solely made from an art history perspective. "I, like every right-minded individual, find the Nazi regime, and all it stood for, evil and abhorrent."

Jewish leaders, some of whom had called for Marks and Spencer to reconsider Ferry's contract, welcomed his apology. Lord Janner, vice-president of the World Jewish Congress, said: "I'm very pleased he's apologised. My view is that the matter is now closed." Nick Viner, the chief executive of the Jewish Community Centre for London, said: "He's made an apology quickly and responsibly. It goes a long way to mitigate his original remarks."

Bryan Ferry's site