Frank Jansen from Roosendaal has accompanied singer Rob de Nijs for almost forty years. First only as a pianist and for the last 25 years also as his manager. It also feels like a huge gift to him that the broadcast of Rob de Nijs’ farewell concert on Thursday evening was awarded the Televizier-Ring. On Sunday he talks about his years with Rob de Nijs in Omroep Brabant’s talk show KRAAK.
It was a moving farewell concert that Rob de Nijs (80) gave last year in Antwerp and Amsterdam. Under the title “It has been beautiful”, he was forced to put an end to a career that started in 1963 with the hit “Rhythm of Rain”. Rob de Nijs suffers from Parkinson’s disease, which is causing his health to steadily deteriorate.
Frank Jansen had actually seen from behind his piano for years that the singer was not doing well. “Rob denied it for a long time, but after that fall from the podium in 2019, he could no longer ignore it.”
Last year everyone could see how Rob de Nijs said goodbye. Fragile but still in good voice. And the registration of that concert received the Televizier-Ring Impact this Thursday. And Rob de Nijs’ last show had an impact. The closing song ‘Not for the last time’ by Belinda Meuldijk to music by Frank Jansen made a particularly deep impression. The image of Rob de Nijs singing the song with his eyes closed, sitting in his wheelchair, will remain with many for a long time.
It’s been a year since the concert. Frank is still busy as manager of Rob de Nijs, but there is no need to perform anymore. What remains is admiration for what Rob de Nijs has achieved in 60 years. “He has always opted for quality. He has always had and kept a large base of loyal fans, without participating in games on TV. I always had to immediately say no to that.”
Further in KRAAK:
- Gerard van Hooft from Oudheusden. The 50Plus board had him removed from the party conference by the police two weeks ago. But a week later he got his revenge. He was elected party leader by the members.
- Neuropsychologist Erik Matser from Helmond has been advocating for better protection of goalkeepers in football for years. In recent weeks, this has proven to be no unnecessary plea.
KRAAK is broadcast live every Sunday at 12:00 and then repeated. The program can also be watched online and via Brabant+.