Manke Nelis (born Cornelis Pieters; 1919-1993) was a Dutch singer in the levenslied genre.

Manke Nelis
Manke Nelis in 1987
Manke Nelis in 1987
Background information
Birth nameCornelis Pieters
Also known asCarlo Pietro
Born(1919-02-16)February 16, 1919
Amsterdam, Netherlands
DiedOctober 8, 1993(1993-10-08) (aged 74)
GenresLevenslied
Occupation(s)Bass player, singer
InstrumentDouble bass
Years active1957-1987

Career

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Manke Nelis was born in Groenlo on 16 December 1919 and began his musical career as a bass player, often accompanying his brother-in-law, accordionist Johnny Meijer. In the 1950s he performed under the stage name Carlo Pietro and started singing the Amsterdam levenslied. A motorcycle accident in France and a subsequent medical error cost him a leg; he reportedly spent the more than 100,000 guilders he received as compensation within a year. His biggest hit was "Kleine Jodeljongen" in 1987.

In 1987 he narrowly survived a bus crash on an American tour with Dutch artists, near San Diego. He died of cancer 8 October 1993, at age 73.[1]

Legacy

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A statue of Manke Nelis was placed on the Johnny Jordaan Square off the Elandsgracht, in the company of statues for Johnny Jordaan, Tante Leen, and Johnny Meijer.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Standbeeld Manke Nelis onthuld" (in Dutch). Nieuws.nl. 30 October 2005. Retrieved 8 May 2013.[permanent dead link]