Dutch singer/composer Henny Vrienten has passed away at the age of 73. The family announced this on Monday via concert organizer MOJO. A cause of death has not been reported, but the singer and composer had been ill for some time. Last year his band Doe Maar canceled their farewell tour for that reason. At the time, no statements were made about what exactly was wrong with him.
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“He was a wonderful, loving father and husband; a wise, erudite man with a razor-sharp sense of humor and language,” his family said. The funeral will be held privately. The family asks for peace and privacy and makes no further announcements.
Since 1980, Vrienten was the front man of the Dutch band Doe Maar, who brought a mix of ska, reggae and punk. It produced hits like Good, Is this all, Pa in 1 night alone† The band’s popularity was so great that they decided to break up in 1984.
Since a reunion in 2000, Doe Maar met again regularly. The band played a few more concerts in our country. Doe Maar was due to embark on a farewell tour last fall, but it was canceled due to Van Vrienten’s illness. Together with George Kooijmans and Boudewijn de Groot, he was also part of the trio Strange Kostgangers.
Composer
The singer also worked as a composer and producer for Jan De Wilde, among others, and made soundtracks for dozens of films and documentaries. He recently worked on the musical The King of Amsterdamwhich will premiere later this year.
Vrienten leaves behind his wife Gala Veldhoen and their two sons and two sons and a daughter from a previous relationship.
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