Lange Jojo – Grand Jojo in French – became famous in the 1970s with “Chef, un p’tit noche, on a soif.” In 1985 he wrote “Anderlecht Champion” (Allez, Allez, Allez, We Are The Champions) as a result of a third title in a row.
A year later, together with producer Roland Verlooven, he adapted the club song a little bit, when the Red Devils were allowed to go to Mexico in 1986: “E Viva Mexico” was born. Belgium came 4th at the World Cup, the rest is history. The supporters song conquered all football stadiums in the world. “Olé, Olé, Olé, We Are The Champions”, you hear everywhere these days.
Lange Jojo was a loyal fan of Anderlecht, always went to watch and often took care of the warm-up before an important match. Football club Anderlecht therefore reacts defeated.
Former manager Michel Verschueren (90): “That song is still played at the start of every match. It remains very popular. I got to know Jojo better in my 25-year career at Anderlecht. He was really a man of the people and for the people. His songs were warm and poignant.”
The singer himself told it regularly in reports (see below): “Lange Jojo will not stay, but “Olé, Olé” certainly will!”
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