SAEDNEWS: After nearly a decade away, Unheilig’s frontman Der Graf returned to the stage at the Golden Hen Awards in Leipzig. Overcome with tears, he compared the moment to feeling like “a little boy in a candy store,” making his comeback one of the most emotional nights in German music.
According to Saed News; It was a night charged with raw emotion. With tears in his eyes, Unheilig’s enigmatic frontman “Der Graf” returned to the stage at the Golden Hen Awards in Leipzig, almost ten years after bidding farewell to music. Performing his new single “Wunderschön”, the 55-year-old struggled to hold back emotions, visibly trembling as he addressed the audience.
“I feel like a little boy walking into a candy store,” he told the crowd, pausing between tears. “At that moment you realize what you’ve been missing for so long.” His honesty struck a chord with fans across Germany, reminding them why his music has always been defined not just by sound, but by soul.
In his heartfelt speech, Der Graf highlighted the unwavering support of his wife, who has stood by him since childhood. “She gives me the strength I need before every performance,” he admitted, acknowledging her as the quiet force behind his resilience. For many fans, this glimpse into his private world — usually so carefully shielded — made the night even more powerful.
The evening culminated in a breathtaking medley of Unheilig’s classic hits, accompanied by the MDR Symphony Orchestra. For long-time followers, it was a nostalgic trip through songs that once defined an era of German pop-rock.
Back in 2014, Der Graf stunned his fanbase by announcing his retirement. His “final” concert in Cologne in 2016 was meant to close the curtain on a remarkable career. For years, the singer from Würselen in North Rhine-Westphalia kept his private life almost entirely out of the spotlight, leaving only speculation about whether he would ever return.
But earlier this year, an unexpected stay in the emergency room forced him to reassess his priorities. In a recent interview with the German Press Agency, he revealed that the experience reignited his passion for music. “Sometimes it takes a shock to remind you what really matters,” he said.
Der Graf first launched Unheilig in 1999 alongside Grant Stevens and producer José Alvarez-Brill. Their debut album “Phosphor” was released in 2000, blending dark pop-rock with haunting vocals that would become his signature. By the mid-2000s, however, Unheilig had effectively transformed into a solo project led solely by Der Graf. His distinctive voice, stage charisma, and deeply emotional lyrics carved out a unique place in German music culture.
The Goldene Henne Award, jointly organized by MDR and Super Illu magazine, has long been a cultural institution in Germany. Originally established to honor East German performers, it has grown into a pan-German audience award celebrating entertainers who resonate across the nation. Its name pays tribute to beloved East German comedian Helga “Henne” Hahnemann.
For Der Graf, making his comeback on this stage was no coincidence. The award’s symbolic value only deepened the emotional impact of the evening.
Der Graf’s return is more than just a comeback — it feels like a cultural reset. In an industry often dominated by quick comebacks and commercial reinventions, his sincerity stood out. Fans flooded social media, describing the performance as “historic,” “soul-stirring,” and “worth the wait.”
For now, questions remain: will Unheilig release new albums? Will a tour follow? Der Graf hasn’t given answers, but one thing is clear — his music is alive again, and so is the connection with his fans.
