Rob de Nijs
Dutch postcard by SYBA, no. 6.
Rob de Nijs (1942) is a popular Dutch singer and actor, active since the 1960s. His hits include 'Ritme van de regen' (1963), 'Dag Zuster Ursula' (1973) and the no. 1 hit 'Banger hart' (1996). He was also the star of Kunt u mij de weg naar Hamelen vertellen, mijnheer? (1972-1976), a legendary and beloved Dutch TV series. In 2019, De Nijs announced he was diagnosed Parkinson's disease, but as long as possible he wants to continue performing. A new album is expected this year.
Robert de Nijs was born in 1942 in Amsterdam. as the son of a driving school owner. When he was six years old, he went to the open air school in Oosterpark because of his asthmatic bronchitis. When he was eight years old, he received his first accordion lessons. Through Bob Bouber, director of the cabaret school which De Nijs attended, he got to know musicians Jan de Hont, Hans de Hont, Roel Vredeveld and Henny van Pinxteren in May 1960. They were looking for a singer with their band The Apron Strings. The band was renamed Robby and The Apron Strings. Soon the group played as the supporting act of Peter Kraus in the Doelenzaal. Then Bert de Nijs, Rob's younger brother, joined the band as an additional guitarist. In October 1960, they achieved first place in a Polydor talent show. In 1962 the band broke up. The 19 years-old Rob and his brother Bert got out of the band and started Rob de Nijs and the Lords. They won a talent-contest and the first prize was a record contract. The first two singles, 'De liefste die ik ken' (The sweetest I know) and 'Jenny' flopped, but the song 'Ritme van de Regen' (Rhythm of the Rain) from 1963 became a big hit of which almost 100,000 copies were sold. In 1963 he participated in the song festival in Knokke. Between 1964 and 1965, Rob was the leading man in the tv show 'TV magazine'. In addition to the Lords, he was assisted in this by Trea Dobbs, Ria Valk and Marijke Merckens. In 1965, De Nijs split from The Lords because they signed their own record-deal at another label. He embarked on a joint circus-tour with pop singer Johnny Lion. By 1967, De Nijs was a free agent; he performed at small venues and worked as a bartender for a living. His attempts to keep up with the zeitgeist, including 'Bye Bye Mrs. Turple', failed. He only made the headlines by marrying his girlfriend Elly in 1968. In 1969 De Nijs took part in the Dutch heat of the Eurovision Song Contest. Through appearances in musicals like 'Sajjuns Fiksjen' and later 'Salvation' (1970), he landed himself the role of Bello Billy Biggelaar in the popular children's TV-series Oebele (Bram van Erkel, 1969-1972) with Willem Nijholt and Wieteke van Dort. This was followed in 1972 by the TV series Kunt u mij de weg naar Hamelen vertellen, mijnheer?/Can you tell me the way to Hamelin, sir? (Tineke Roeffen a.o., 1972-1976) in which he played Bertram Bierenbroodspot. The series has become one of the most beloved and legendary series of Dutch television. Singer Boudewijn de Groot and songwriter Lennaert Nijgh helped De Nijs relaunch his singing career; in 1973 he was back in the charts with 'Jan Klaassen de Trompetter' (Jan Klaassen the Trumpeter) and 'Dag Zuster Ursula' (Bye bye Sister Ursula). The hits continued through 1975-1976, notably 'Malle Babbe' and 'Zet een Kaars voor Je Raam' (a Dutch translation by Lennaert Nijgh of David McWilliams's 'Can I Get There by Candlelight?'). In 1977 De Nijs released 'Tussen Zomer en Winter', a concept-album chronicling the change from a hot summer's day to a cold winter's night and featuring translations of Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' and The Beach Boys' 'Disney Girls' (1957).
In 1980 Rob de Nijs released 'Met Je Ogen Dicht' (Eyes Wide Shut) which included the top 10-hit 'Zondag' and became the country's best-selling album of the year. He met Belinda Meuldijk who gave up her own singing and acting career to become his chief-songwriter and his second wife. They married in 1984. The first efforts of their collaboration were collected in 1981 on the album 'De Regen Voorbij' (Past The Rain), a reference to his artistic growth. In 1985 De Nijs had a Christmas #2-hit with the peace-anthem 'Alles Wat Ademt'. The English version, 'Let Love Be The Answer', would also be recorded by US-exile singer Joe Bourne for his 'Bourne in Holland'-album of translated covers. In 1986 De Nijs released an album of covers from the 1950s/1960s-era; it included his version of 'Living Doll' shortly after the Comic Relief-remake topped the charts. In 1987 he celebrated his silver jubilee; he re-recorded 'Ritme van de Regen' for a Best Of-album and made a guest-appearance in television-series 'De Band' as himself. In 1989 De Nijs released 'De Reiziger' (Travelling Man) featuring the bilingual duet 'Ik Hou Alleen Van Jou' (I only love you). At the end of the year he wore his Bertram Bierenbroodspot-outfit again for a reunion with the leading-actors of Hamelen. In 1990 'Stranger In Your Land' was released, his first album of English originals plus translations of 'Zonder Jou' (On My Own, 1981), a duet with Demis Roussos, 'Bo' (1983) and 'Toerist In Het Paradijs' (Tourist In Paradise, 1989) which became the title-track. In 1992, De Nijs appeared as a judge during the finale of the 'Kinderen voor Kinderen' (Children for Children) festival. In 1996 De Nijs scored his first #1-hit with a remix of 'Banger Hart'.
Rob de Nijs entered the first decade of the 21st century with a knighthood and released albums with translations of meaningful Christmas-songs and French chansons, including 'This Melody' for which Julien Clerc was flown in to sing the French parts. Meanwhile, he separated from Meuldijk after twenty years; he married for the third time with Henriëtte Koetschruiter, and became a father again. De Nijs was 70 when he welcomed his third son Julius. He has also two sons with Belinda Meuldijk, Robbert Roman de Nijs (1983) and Yoshi Christopher de Nijs (1986). In 2010 De Nijs released the back-to-basics-album 'Eindelijk Vrij' (Free At Last) which he recorded in the US. In 2012 he embarked on his 50th anniversary tour. In 2014 De Nijs released an album called 'Nieuwe Ruimte' with contributions from well-known songwriters as Jan Rot, Boudewijn de Groot and Daniel Lohues; the latter two reprising their earlier collaborations. In 2016 De Nijs was honoured with the Radio 5 Oeuvre Award and a tribute-concert. In 2017 De Nijs released 'Niet voor het laatst'; on this album he collaborated with Meuldijk again and sang a duet with his son Robbert. In September 2019, De Nijs announced his retirement from performing after being diagnosed Parkinson's disease. A farewell-tour and a new album are scheduled for 2020.
Sources: Wikipedia (Dutch and English) and IMDb.
More, more, more? Take a look at our postcard albums Vintage Pop Stars, French Pop Stars, British Pop Stars, and American Pop Stars!
Rob de Nijs
Dutch postcard by SYBA, no. 6.
Rob de Nijs (1942) is a popular Dutch singer and actor, active since the 1960s. His hits include 'Ritme van de regen' (1963), 'Dag Zuster Ursula' (1973) and the no. 1 hit 'Banger hart' (1996). He was also the star of Kunt u mij de weg naar Hamelen vertellen, mijnheer? (1972-1976), a legendary and beloved Dutch TV series. In 2019, De Nijs announced he was diagnosed Parkinson's disease, but as long as possible he wants to continue performing. A new album is expected this year.
Robert de Nijs was born in 1942 in Amsterdam. as the son of a driving school owner. When he was six years old, he went to the open air school in Oosterpark because of his asthmatic bronchitis. When he was eight years old, he received his first accordion lessons. Through Bob Bouber, director of the cabaret school which De Nijs attended, he got to know musicians Jan de Hont, Hans de Hont, Roel Vredeveld and Henny van Pinxteren in May 1960. They were looking for a singer with their band The Apron Strings. The band was renamed Robby and The Apron Strings. Soon the group played as the supporting act of Peter Kraus in the Doelenzaal. Then Bert de Nijs, Rob's younger brother, joined the band as an additional guitarist. In October 1960, they achieved first place in a Polydor talent show. In 1962 the band broke up. The 19 years-old Rob and his brother Bert got out of the band and started Rob de Nijs and the Lords. They won a talent-contest and the first prize was a record contract. The first two singles, 'De liefste die ik ken' (The sweetest I know) and 'Jenny' flopped, but the song 'Ritme van de Regen' (Rhythm of the Rain) from 1963 became a big hit of which almost 100,000 copies were sold. In 1963 he participated in the song festival in Knokke. Between 1964 and 1965, Rob was the leading man in the tv show 'TV magazine'. In addition to the Lords, he was assisted in this by Trea Dobbs, Ria Valk and Marijke Merckens. In 1965, De Nijs split from The Lords because they signed their own record-deal at another label. He embarked on a joint circus-tour with pop singer Johnny Lion. By 1967, De Nijs was a free agent; he performed at small venues and worked as a bartender for a living. His attempts to keep up with the zeitgeist, including 'Bye Bye Mrs. Turple', failed. He only made the headlines by marrying his girlfriend Elly in 1968. In 1969 De Nijs took part in the Dutch heat of the Eurovision Song Contest. Through appearances in musicals like 'Sajjuns Fiksjen' and later 'Salvation' (1970), he landed himself the role of Bello Billy Biggelaar in the popular children's TV-series Oebele (Bram van Erkel, 1969-1972) with Willem Nijholt and Wieteke van Dort. This was followed in 1972 by the TV series Kunt u mij de weg naar Hamelen vertellen, mijnheer?/Can you tell me the way to Hamelin, sir? (Tineke Roeffen a.o., 1972-1976) in which he played Bertram Bierenbroodspot. The series has become one of the most beloved and legendary series of Dutch television. Singer Boudewijn de Groot and songwriter Lennaert Nijgh helped De Nijs relaunch his singing career; in 1973 he was back in the charts with 'Jan Klaassen de Trompetter' (Jan Klaassen the Trumpeter) and 'Dag Zuster Ursula' (Bye bye Sister Ursula). The hits continued through 1975-1976, notably 'Malle Babbe' and 'Zet een Kaars voor Je Raam' (a Dutch translation by Lennaert Nijgh of David McWilliams's 'Can I Get There by Candlelight?'). In 1977 De Nijs released 'Tussen Zomer en Winter', a concept-album chronicling the change from a hot summer's day to a cold winter's night and featuring translations of Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' and The Beach Boys' 'Disney Girls' (1957).
In 1980 Rob de Nijs released 'Met Je Ogen Dicht' (Eyes Wide Shut) which included the top 10-hit 'Zondag' and became the country's best-selling album of the year. He met Belinda Meuldijk who gave up her own singing and acting career to become his chief-songwriter and his second wife. They married in 1984. The first efforts of their collaboration were collected in 1981 on the album 'De Regen Voorbij' (Past The Rain), a reference to his artistic growth. In 1985 De Nijs had a Christmas #2-hit with the peace-anthem 'Alles Wat Ademt'. The English version, 'Let Love Be The Answer', would also be recorded by US-exile singer Joe Bourne for his 'Bourne in Holland'-album of translated covers. In 1986 De Nijs released an album of covers from the 1950s/1960s-era; it included his version of 'Living Doll' shortly after the Comic Relief-remake topped the charts. In 1987 he celebrated his silver jubilee; he re-recorded 'Ritme van de Regen' for a Best Of-album and made a guest-appearance in television-series 'De Band' as himself. In 1989 De Nijs released 'De Reiziger' (Travelling Man) featuring the bilingual duet 'Ik Hou Alleen Van Jou' (I only love you). At the end of the year he wore his Bertram Bierenbroodspot-outfit again for a reunion with the leading-actors of Hamelen. In 1990 'Stranger In Your Land' was released, his first album of English originals plus translations of 'Zonder Jou' (On My Own, 1981), a duet with Demis Roussos, 'Bo' (1983) and 'Toerist In Het Paradijs' (Tourist In Paradise, 1989) which became the title-track. In 1992, De Nijs appeared as a judge during the finale of the 'Kinderen voor Kinderen' (Children for Children) festival. In 1996 De Nijs scored his first #1-hit with a remix of 'Banger Hart'.
Rob de Nijs entered the first decade of the 21st century with a knighthood and released albums with translations of meaningful Christmas-songs and French chansons, including 'This Melody' for which Julien Clerc was flown in to sing the French parts. Meanwhile, he separated from Meuldijk after twenty years; he married for the third time with Henriëtte Koetschruiter, and became a father again. De Nijs was 70 when he welcomed his third son Julius. He has also two sons with Belinda Meuldijk, Robbert Roman de Nijs (1983) and Yoshi Christopher de Nijs (1986). In 2010 De Nijs released the back-to-basics-album 'Eindelijk Vrij' (Free At Last) which he recorded in the US. In 2012 he embarked on his 50th anniversary tour. In 2014 De Nijs released an album called 'Nieuwe Ruimte' with contributions from well-known songwriters as Jan Rot, Boudewijn de Groot and Daniel Lohues; the latter two reprising their earlier collaborations. In 2016 De Nijs was honoured with the Radio 5 Oeuvre Award and a tribute-concert. In 2017 De Nijs released 'Niet voor het laatst'; on this album he collaborated with Meuldijk again and sang a duet with his son Robbert. In September 2019, De Nijs announced his retirement from performing after being diagnosed Parkinson's disease. A farewell-tour and a new album are scheduled for 2020.
Sources: Wikipedia (Dutch and English) and IMDb.
More, more, more? Take a look at our postcard albums Vintage Pop Stars, French Pop Stars, British Pop Stars, and American Pop Stars!