Bobbejaan Schoepen, born Modest Hyppoliet Joanna Schoepen on May 16, 1925, in Boom, Belgium, was a multifaceted artist: a singer, guitarist, songwriter, yodeler, and whistler, as well as a seasoned performer and entrepreneur in the European entertainment industry. His stage name, "Bobbejaan," can be translated as "Baboon" in Dutch, a moniker that stuck with him throughout his prolific career. Schoepen is widely acknowledged as a pioneer in Belgian pop music, bringing a mix of styles to the stage, including country, folk, and yodeling, while also making his mark as a comedian and actor.

Over the course of his extensive career, which spanned more than six decades, Bobbejaan Schoepen evolved from a traveling musician into a national icon. His work was infused with an American country and western influence, a genre that was relatively unknown in his home country when he first began performing. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he achieved international renown with hits like "Ich steh' im Regen," "Je me suis souvent demandé," and "Ik heb eerbied voor jouw grijze haren." Schoepen also represented Belgium in the 1957 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Straatdeuntje." Beyond his musical achievements, Schoepen was the founder of the amusement park Bobbejaanland, which remains a popular attraction in Belgium. His rich catalog remains influential, as evidenced by the remastered collection in "The World of Bobbejaan - Songbook," ensuring that Bobbejaan Schoepen's unique brand of music and performance continues to reach new audiences. He passed away on May 17, 2010, leaving behind a vast musical legacy and a profound impact on Belgian cultural life.

Genres

Classic Belgian Pop

Vlaamse Cabaret

Latest Release

Ik Sta Op Wacht

Bobbejaan Schoepen

Album - 15 Tracks - Released January 31, 2020