Simons is the representative of "Heintje" for the 70th occasion.
Hein Simons, the Dutch singer who rose to fame as a 12-year-old boy known as Heintje, is celebrating his 70th birthday today. Despite a career that spans over five decades, Simons has faced challenges with his hearing, leading him to cancel concerts and refrain from performing until he is at "a hundred percent."
Simons' journey to stardom began in the small town of Kerkrade, where he started performing at the Hanni-Bar, owned by his parents. He would play only one song and sing along: "Mama." This humble beginning led to a notable appearance on ZDF, where he won a talent competition and sang "Mama" on "Der Goldene Schuß." This performance, marked by a mix of cheekiness and sentimentality, as well as a bell-clear soprano and high C note that melted millions of mother hearts, catapulted Simons to fame.
Songs like "Ich bau' dir ein Schloß" and "Heidschi Bumbeidschi" conquered the charts, making Simons a child star. He went on to sell millions of records and embark on tours, including one that took him as far as China. Despite the passage of time, his fans remained loyal, and Simons continued to find success, albeit not as great as in his childhood.
Simons' hearing difficulties, due to missing mid-tones with his current hearing aids, have made it challenging for him on stage or in the studio. This has led to the cancellation of his concerts, a decision that Simons has made with a heavy heart. However, he remains hopeful, looking towards advancements in technology and artificial intelligence for potential solutions to improve his hearing situation.
Simons lives with his family on an estate with many horses in the tri-border region of Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. His father, who previously worked in the coal mines of Limburg, had to stop due to a lung disease. The family tried to keep afloat financially with the bar, but Simons' success allowed them to move to a more peaceful setting.
Simons' 70th birthday will be a quiet affair, with only his family present. His mother, who passed away a few years ago, will be sorely missed. Despite the challenges he has faced, Simons considers himself lucky and looks back on his career with humility and gratitude.
As Simons turns 70, fans continue to request his signature song, "Mama," which has been forever linked to him since his famous 55 seconds on TV in 1967. Simons acknowledges that it is an old Italian song, but its significance in his life and the hearts of his fans cannot be denied.
Recently, Simons released a successful album "Heintje and I," which features a duet with the young Heintje made possible by technology. This album serves as a testament to Simons' enduring legacy and the impact he has had on the music industry.
As Simons continues to hope for improvements in his hearing, fans eagerly await the possibility of him singing again. At the end of August, there may be a big farm party where Simons might take the stage once more. Until then, Simons' fans continue to remember his bell-clear soprano and high C note that melted millions of mother hearts, and his career as a child star that made him a household name in Germany.
