N°22 JOHAN VERMINNEN - BRUSSEL

Ghinzu was a band formed in Brussels so let’s have someone who was born in one of the duburbs of the Belgian capital and someone who lived and loved this city. 

Johan Verminnen wanted to sing and entertain since he was a little boy. Discovered in a talent show called ‘Ontdek de ster’ (translated: Discover the Star) on television back in 1969. In the early seventies he worked a lot with other famous Belgian singers as Will Tura and Raymond van het Groenewoud. Will Tura would launch him with Jean Kluger’s record label. At that time one of the major record labels in the Belgian music scene. He would become one of the faces of the Flemish chanson. His songs often contain stories about scenes of life or about his beloved Brussels. He even has a few records recorded in French. The lyrics usually are about the same subjects as his Flemish songs.

The song I posted carries the title Brussels and it’s about his beauty but also about its dark sides, the singer’s memories, … it’s a beautifull song. Another one of his best known songs about Brussels is Rue de Boucher (translated In the Butcher Street) which is about one of the most famous streets in Brussels. Something you should see whenever you visit this city.

Verminnen, one of the most important performers of Belgian music, also made other beautifull songs. I’ll only name the best known but I’m sure I’m forgetting loads of beauties which probably are hidden on one of his over 40 albums. That’s best off’s included but then again he has that much to choose from. Here’s a few of his best known songs:

Paulien (about his daughter)

Kvoel me goed (a feelgood song)

Daar gaat ze (about a girl)

Mooie dagen (another feelgood song)

Laat me nu toch niet alleen (a bit sad but oh so nice)

Although he released a huge amout of new albums throughout his career he moved up the ladder in 1992 as one of the founders of ZAMU. A foundation which tries to improve the legal and economical situation of Belgian performers. 15 Years later he would become one of the directors of Sabam; a Belgian society of authors, composers and publishers which collects fees for the use of eg music rights and distributes their incomes to the different performers, writers, …

Johan Verminnen also played a little cameo in the Suske & Wiske (in English Luke and Lucy – in French Bob et Bobette) comic album The Krimson Crisis.

I want to make the next link also a song about a capital. Any suggestions?