Renowned musical duo discloses their split
Wildecker Herzbuben Bid Farewell After 36-Year Run
After 36 years of creating music together, the beloved German folk music duo Wildecker Herzbuben has officially ended their partnership. The duo, consisting of Wolfgang Schwalm and Wilfried Gliem, announced their separation in 2025, with the dissolution of their legal partnership on March 31, 2025.
The split was amicable, primarily due to Gliem's declining health, which prevents him from performing on stage independently. While the duo's partnership has come to an end, they remain close and occasional joint appearances may still occur.
Wolfgang Schwalm is now pursuing a solo career under the name "Der Herzbube Wolfgang." Wilfried Gliem, however, retains ownership of the Wildecker Herzbuben brand as a sole proprietor. Schwalm is no longer involved in the business ownership of the duo's name.
Their final joint performance is scheduled for September 2025 at Heidi Klum's Schlager show in Munich's Hofbräuhaus. Prior to that, they have other bookings, including a show in Altenbrak and a previous performance at Parookaville over a year ago.
Reports suggest that there may have been minor disagreements over the stage farewell plans, but no serious personal conflict was reported. Wilfried Gliem will be singing from a wheelchair at the September performance due to his current health condition.
The Wildecker Herzbuben gained fame with their 1989 hit "Herzilein" and performed their first concert in April 1990 at a café in Schwalmstadt, Hesse. They remain beloved icons of German folk music, especially in northern and eastern Hesse, and their legacy continues despite this chapter closing.
Despite the separation, the duo's fans can look forward to their final joint performance in September. Gliem has stated that he still holds the "Wildecker Herzbuben" trademark, and if he recovers, he could potentially engage a new singer, including Wolfgang Schwalm, for the trademark.
Schwalm, on the other hand, has signed a new record deal for his solo career and is working hard to make a name for himself as "Der Herzbube Wolfgang." Despite the challenges, the future looks bright for both musicians.
The company's final music performance under the Wildecker Herzbuben brand will be an entertainment spectacle at Heidi Klum's Schlager show in Munich's Hofbräuhaus. After the duo's separation, Wilfried Gliem, the sole proprietor of the Wildecker Herzbuben brand, may consider collaborating with Wolfgang Schwalm, his former partner, for future musical endeavors should his health improve.
