Statue of André Hazes.

André Hazes was born on June 30, 1951, in Gerard Doustraat number 67, right in the De Pijp neighborhood. The story goes that as a little boy, he was asked to come sing songs in the pub across from his parents' house. That place is now home to the Eddy Bar. Hazes was discovered in 1959 by Johnny Kraaijkamp while he was singing at the Albert Cuyp market. Later, he had various jobs, including that of a waiter, and was known as the singing bartender.
His breakthrough came in 1976 with the song 'Lonely Christmas'. In total, he released more than 300 songs on 36 different albums. The singer gained a cult-like status in the Netherlands through the film 'She Believes in Me' from 2000.

For more information, you can listen to track 10 of the MP3/iPod file. http://www.oudzuid.amsterdam.nl/kunst_en_cultuur/stadswandeling_de

Toineke