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André Hazes

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

André Hazes was born in 1951 in the Amsterdam district of De Pijp. At the age of eight he was discovered at the Albert Cuyp market by Johnny Kraaykamp and sang on television. He then did all sorts of jobs, from sailor to butcher's apprentice, before becoming known in his neighbourhood as the singing barman at the café De Krommert. In 1976 Eenzame Kerst was released. In 1977 came the album Zo is het leven, which included De Vlieger, later a Dutch standard.

Music and breakthrough

In 1980 he signed with EMI and his career took off. With Een Vriend and Een Beetje Verliefd, produced by his friend Tim Griek, he reached the top ten in 1981. For the album Gewoon André he received the Zilveren Harp. Hits followed such as Ik Meen 't in 1985, Wij Houden van Oranje in 1988 and Bloed, Zweet en Tranen in 2002. Zij Gelooft in Mij came out in 1981, was recorded again in 1999 and was re-released after his death in 2004. He recorded thirty-six studio and live records.

Influence

Hazes sang levenslied: simple, sentimental songs about love, sorrow and life in the city, with a raw, passionate voice. This became hugely popular in the Netherlands and Flanders. He brought the levenslied back to the general public and showed that a folk singer from De Pijp could conquer the charts. He died on 23 September 2004.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Zij gelooft in mij and notice how the voice sounds restrained at the start and then grows stronger. Can you hear the emphasis with which the chorus is sung?

Discography

Studio albums

Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsLevenslied and smartlap