André Hazes

André Hazes (1951–2004) was a Dutch folk singer born in Amsterdam who became one of the most beloved voices in levenslied — the Dutch tradition of emotionally direct, life-story ballads. Rising to prominence in the late 1970s, he became a defining figure of the genre, singing openly about love, loss, hardship and resilience in a style that resonated deeply with working-class audiences across the Netherlands.

Hazes's own turbulent life, marked by well-documented personal struggles and ups and downs, fed directly into his music, giving songs like «Zij Gelooft In Mij», «Bloed, Zweet En Tranen» and «Eenzame Kerst» an authenticity that made him a genuine folk hero rather than just a hitmaker. His warm, powerful voice and unpretentious stage presence made him enormously popular at home even as he remained largely unknown outside Dutch-speaking audiences.

Hazes died in 2004, but his legacy endures: he is still widely regarded as one of the most important and best-loved singers in Dutch popular music history, and his songs remain staples at Dutch celebrations, football matches and singalongs decades after his passing.