Eddy Wally

Eddy Wally

Eddy Wally, "The Voice of Europe" (in concert)
Background information
Birth name Eduard Van De Walle
Also known as Eddy Wally
Born 12 July 1932
Zelzate, East Flanders, Belgium
Genres pop
Occupation(s) Musician, singer-songwriter, producer, actor
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1959–2012
Website http://www.eddywally.be/nl/

Eddy Wally (born Eduard Van De Walle, 12 July 1932) is a singer from Zelzate (East Flanders, Belgium), and is the self-proclaimed "Voice of Europe".[1]

General information

As a crooner and showman, Eddy Wally has toured worldwide, from China, to Australia, all of Europe and the United States, and even 24 tour dates in 1979 within the former USSR.[2]

Wally is most known for his songs "Chérie",[3] which became a double-platinum hit.[4] Wally is also known for "Ik spring uit een vliegmachien" ("I'll jump out of an aeroplane"), and "Dans Mi Amor".

Attire and cultural iconography

On stage and off, Wally usually wears flashy, shiny, expensive outfits, characterized by a camp and kitsch style reminiscent of Liberace. In 2004, Eddy Wally's extreme wardrobe was acquired by the Stedelijk Modemuseum van Hasselt, and was shown under the title "Eddy Wally's Geweldige Garderobe". The show consisted of 115 custom made outfits, each valued up to $5,300 apiece.[5]

In October 2009, famed Belgian artist Kamagurka proclaimed:

“ Eddy Wally is popart.[6] ”

Background

Eddy Wally started as a salesman on markets selling handbags and became popular in the 1960s, after his association with Dutch producer Johnny Hoes. He even had his own disco "Chérie-Paris Las Vegas", first known as "Eddy Wally's Texas Bar".

Eddy Wally used to be a regular feature on the UK television programme Eurotrash, mostly due to his name and obscure dress sense.

Asteroid

A main-belt asteroid is named after Eddy Wally (9205 Eddywally).[7] It is in orbit around the sun between Mars and Jupiter.

References

  1. ↑ "All it takes in the eurovision song contest". 3minutes.me. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
  2. ↑ "L'Echo: Eddy Wally, l'icône de la chanson flamande" (in French). Lecho.be. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
  3. ↑ "Cherie" (in French). Www.Muziekarchief.Be. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
  4. ↑ "E.Wally Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
  5. ↑ "Showkostuums van Eddy Wally tentoongesteld in Hasselt". Hbvl.be. 10 September 1999. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
  6. ↑ "Eddy Wally is popart". De Standaard. 31 October 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
  7. ↑ "Minor Planet Names: Alphabetical List". Cfa.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2010-02-25.

External links