Rob Hoeke Explained

Rob Hoeke
Birth Name:Rob Hoeke
Birth Date:9 January 1939
Birth Place:Haarlem, Netherlands
Death Place:Krommenie
Instrument:Piano
Genre:Boogie-woogie, Blues, Soul and Rhythm & Blues
Occupation:Musician, composer, songwriter, vocalist
Years Active:1957–1999
Label:Philips, Polydor, Universe, Oldie Blues, Down South Records, Rodero Records
Past Member Of:Rob Hoeke Boogie Woogie Quartet, The Rob Hoeke Rhythm and Blues Group, The Grand Piano Boogie Train

Rob Hoeke (9 January 1939 – 6 November 1999) was a Dutch singer, pianist, composer and songwriter most famous for his renditions in the field of Boogie-woogie releasing over 20 albums. Besides that he played and recorded in a musical variety of styles ranging from Blues, Soul, Rock and Rhythm & Blues.

Biography

Rob Hoeke's most successful period was in the second half of the 1960s and early 1970s with his Rob Hoeke Rhythm & Blues Group. He scored hits with "Margio" (number 12 on the Dutch Top 40 in 1966),[1] "Drinking on My Bed"[2] (number 11 in 1966)[3] and "Down South" which would become Hoeke's signature tune[4] and biggest hit reaching number 6 in 1970.[5] His sole charting album was Four Hands Up, a collaboration with fellow Boogie-woogie artist Hein van der Gaag which charted at number 7 in 1971.[6]

In 1974, Rob Hoeke lost two fingers in a gardening accident[7] and his career all but seemed to be over. After a few years, he started playing and performing for audiences again but his heyday was over. He recorded many more albums, one with Alan Price from the Animals. Hoeke made a solo performance at the first Amsterdam Blues Festival in 1983 where his solo performance received a standing ovation from the audience of 1,100.[8] Subsequently, he made his first solo album Jumpin' on the "88" for the Oldie Blues label in 1983.

Rob Hoeke died in 1999 after a short illness.[2]

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Collaboration albums

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Steffen Hung . The Rob Hoeke Rhythm And Blues Group – Margio . dutchcharts.nl . 2014-07-12.
  2. Web site: Rob Hoeke . Radio2.nl . 2014-07-12.
  3. Web site: Rob Hoeke – Free listening, videos, concerts, stats and pictures at . Last.fm . 2014-07-12.
  4. Web site: Rob Hoeke . Alexgitlin.com . 2014-07-12.
  5. Web site: Steffen Hung . Rob Hoeke Boogie Woogie Quartet – Down South . dutchcharts.nl . 2014-07-12.
  6. Web site: Steffen Hung . Rob Hoeke And Hein van der Gaag – Four Hands Up . dutchcharts.nl . 2014-07-12.
  7. Web site: Classic Rock at Rtbf.be . www.rtbf.be . 2014-07-12.
  8. Olderen, Martin van, Jumpin' on the "88", linernotes, Oldie Blues, OL 8005
  9. Web site: Oldies Blues Discography . Wirz.de . 2014-07-12.
  10. Web site: Rob Hoeke . Rob Hoeke . 2014-07-12.