Herman van Veen at 80: The Unstoppable Clown with a Mission
- A Joker on a Crusade: Intentions Unveiled
Hey there! Let's chat about Herman van Veen, the multi-talented Dutchman who's still making waves at 80. This guy's got so many tricks up his sleeves it's mind-boggling! From music to poetry, clowning, theater, and even politics, he's got it all.
A Clown with a Humanitarian Touch
Van Veen likes to call himself a singing clown, one who aims to make his audience laugh their socks off, but also think deeply. Born in the '60s, his first musical-satirical stage program, "Harlekijn," turned heads in the Netherlands after his studies at the Utrecht Conservatory.
Since then, this musical chameleon has graced stages worldwide, from Schlager to Chanson, Pop, and more – in no less than six languages! He's also penned numerous theater pieces, written countless poems, dabbled as an abstract painter, and brought the beloved children's book character "Alfred J. Kwak" to life.
A Friend and a Fan: Alfred Biolek
Some might not know that the duck's name "Alfred J. Kwak" pays homage to a TV legend – Alfred Biolek (1934-2021), who caught van Veen's act in Amsterdam in 1972 and helped him become a star in Germany.
Biolek, a huge fan of van Veen, introduced him to the German audience in 1973, launching his career with the German-language album "Ich hab' ein zärtliches Gefühl." Since then, van Veen's discography has grown, with numerous German albums to his name. In 1999, he was honored with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his contributions to German-Dutch relations.
Van Veen's tireless touring and penchant for connecting with fans, even in the smallest towns, continue to this day. Since early March, he's been on the road for his "80" tour across the Netherlands, and he'll be back on German stages from March 27 with numerous special guests.
- Veen
- Entrepreneur
- Artist
- Alfred Biolek
- 1960s
Despite his advanced age, Herman van Veen laments, "I'm not going to be able to do this," as he continues his tireless touring and performances across different genres, from the 1960s "Harlekijn" to Schlager, Chanson, Pop, and beyond, in six languages. This testament to his resilience and versatility as an artist in music, theater, and poetry echoes his journey that started with Alfred Biolek's support in the 1970s. Speaking of the influential figures in his life, the name "Alfred J. Kwak" was inspired by the late German TV legend Alfred Biolek, a dedicated fan and supporter, who helped him break into the German market.
