Famous rock band Pink Floyd once sang “Mother, Should I Trust the Government?” Rock and roll has always been immersed in themes of anti-establishment, but what would happen if the government and rock merged to create the ultimate propaganda? Now, Hulu is delving into that theory by adapting the popular rock and roll conspiracy podcast Wind of Change into a television show, as reported by Deadline.
The popular 2020 podcast Wind of Change explores the conspiracy theory based off a rumor that the CIA wrote the song “Wind of Change” for the West German rock band, Scorpions. Released in 1990 and notably following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the peak of perestroika in the USSR, the podcast makes an argument that the iconic rock ballad was a form of propaganda created by the CIA.
The rock band Scorpions are known for their hit singles “Rock you like a Hurricane,” and “Still Loving You” but their biggest single remains “Wind of Change.” After receiving a tip from an anonymous source from within the CIA, the podcast explores the insane possibility that the CIA really did write the song. Patrick Radden Keefe (Say Nothing), host of the podcast and investigative journalist for The New Yorker, delves into the untold history of the Cold War and attempts to uncover the CIA’s meddling with rock songs. Interviewing several former CIA agents to get to the bottom of this wild conspiracy, the eight part series leads listeners down a shocking and revelatory rabbit hole.
After a competitive battle, Hulu successfully obtained the rights to the podcast. Wind of Change was produced by Crooked Media and Pineapple Street Studios, which will now produce the television series as well. The studio 20th Television, Small Dog Pictures, and Spotify are also set to produce according to Deadline.
The series will be executive produced and written by the actor and director Alex Karpovsky (Homecoming, Oh Jerome, No) and Jason Winer (Modern Family, New Girl). Other notable executive producers include writer, director, and actor Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Chef), podcaster Jon Lovett (Keepin’ it 1600), Sarah Geismer (Pod Save America), and Liz Gately (Teen Wolf).
This follows the news that FX is also making a limited series about rock and roll band The Rolling Stones. The news was announced at The Walt Disney Company Investor Day presentation last Thursday.