A Glam Rock Celebration That Refused to Grow Old: Sweet Reignite Their Greatest Hits on German Television
On May eleventh, two thousand thirteen, the legendary British band Sweet brought a surge of color, melody, and unmistakable glam rock spirit to German television with a vibrant hit medley on ZDF’s Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel. For viewers across Europe, the performance was more than a nostalgic television appearance. It was a joyful reminder of a band whose songs once dominated charts, dance floors, and teenage bedrooms and whose energy still resonated decades later.
The medley featured four of Sweet’s most iconic recordings. Blockbuster, Wig Wam Bam, Little Willy, and Fox On The Run flowed together with confidence and charm, each song instantly recognizable within seconds. These were not just hit singles. They were cultural markers from the early nineteen seventies, a time when pop hooks, heavy guitars, and flamboyant presentation collided to create something thrillingly new.
What made this performance special was its sense of pride rather than longing. Sweet did not approach their catalog as a tribute to former glory. Instead, they performed with ease and self assurance, fully aware of the joy these songs continue to bring. The polished television setting contrasted beautifully with the raw spirit embedded in the music, proving that glam rock could shine just as brightly under studio lights as it once did on crowded concert stages.
Blockbuster opened the medley with its familiar swagger, instantly setting the tone. Wig Wam Bam followed with playful urgency, capturing the youthful pulse that helped define the band’s early success. Little Willy added warmth and melody, reminding audiences that Sweet were masters of pop songwriting as much as they were purveyors of spectacle. When Fox On The Run arrived, it felt like a victory lap. The song’s driving rhythm and soaring chorus still carried the confidence that made it a global hit.
Television programs like Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel are built around connection, and Sweet understood that perfectly. Their performance spoke to multiple generations at once. Older viewers were transported back to the era of vinyl singles and glitter soaked stage outfits. Younger viewers discovered songs that sounded timeless rather than dated, proving that strong melodies and personality never lose their appeal.
There was also a quiet professionalism on display. Sweet delivered their medley without excess or gimmickry, allowing the songs themselves to take center stage. This restraint made the performance even more powerful. It showed a band comfortable with its legacy and secure in its place in pop and rock history.
In an era where many classic acts struggle to translate their past into the present, Sweet succeeded effortlessly. The May two thousand thirteen appearance was not about rewriting history. It was about celebrating it openly and confidently. For a few minutes on German television, glam rock returned not as a memory, but as a living, breathing experience.
Sweet’s hit medley served as a reminder that some music does not age. It simply waits for the right moment to be played again and welcomed back with open arms.