Herman Van Keeken - Happy Birthday Josephine

Dutch singer, born August 15, 1939, died in June, 1995. Born in Hilversum, The Netherlands. In Germany also known by the name Hank Hermans. Singer who scored some hits in the sixties and seventies, both solo and with a backing band. After winning the Jimmy Rodgers Competition, he was offered a recording contract with Philips. Although his first record didn't score very well, success did come with his second record 'Corinna Corinna' in 1961. In 5 months standing in the Top 40 hitlist, it achieved it's highest position with the fifth place. In 1961, Herman van Keeken was a member of the Dutch delegation to the Knokke Festival in Belgium along with Ramses Shaffy, Ria Valk, Sacha Denisent and Conny Vandenbos. The singer worked alternating solo and with his first group, The Driftin' Five. At the time of his hit he formed a trio with Frans Leeman (drums) and George van Deyl (bass). From this trio, forms the backing band "Speakeasy". Under the alternative name "Blockheads" makes the Speakeasy-trio in 1966, the single Shotgun Shaker, a record that did'nt score very well. After several flopped singles in German, Spanish or Italian language Van Keeken scores finally again, only in Dutch, his biggest hit "Pappie Loop Toch Niet Zo Snel" in 1971. One by producer Peter Koelewijn translated version of the English song 'Daddy Do not You Walk So Fast'. During this comeback, the single Corrina, Corrina was re-released at two different companies. The re-release will not go beyond the tipparade. In 1973, the collaboration with Speakeasy comes to an end, Herman van Keeken going solo without much success. In the late seventies and early eighties he worked respectively with his wife along as the country duo Herman & Angie and together with Franklin Kennedy. Van Keeken dies on June 2 1995, at the age of 55, from the effects of a brain tumor.