Heddy Lester sang and played in dozens of theater productions, but remained best known as the singer of the song ‘De mallemolen’, with which she took part in the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of the Netherlands in 1977: on a cheerful melody that immediately invited you to sing along. The song was not even a big hit in its own country, but it became a classic. This is even more evident now that she passed away this weekend from the effects of bladder cancer. She was 72 years old.
Her name was Hendrika Affolter and she was the daughter of musical Jewish parents who had met each other in the Vught camp during the occupation. Her mother sang under the name Louise de Montel and her father was not only a pianist, but also ran various catering establishments in the center of Amsterdam, in which live music was a permanent component. At a young age, Heddy and her brother Frank Affolter also performed in that circuit – she as a singer and he as an accompanist on the piano. Over time, they announced themselves as the April Shower duo. They even made a few gramophone records. In that period they also came into contact with Ramses Shaffy, with whom she regularly performed as a guest singer.
For example, brother and sister had already gained a lot of experience when the Eurovision Song Contest came into view. ‘De mallemolen’ was a text by befriended song singer Wim Hogenkamp, set to music by Frank Affolter. At the international final, in London, Heddy Lester finished in twelfth place – with eighteen participating countries.
Solo programs
But she has never been a hit singer. What followed was an erratic career that mainly offered room for theater work. “I was more concerned with playing than with singing,” she said a few years ago NRC. “Playing, acting is my thing, even when I sing.” In the 1980s, for example, she made theater tours with various solo programs, consisting of songs and monologues, and twice commanded a lot of respect with strikingly expressive roles with the theater group De Appel from The Hague: in Ghetto (1987) and Trojan women (2001). Later in life she also appeared in various musicals, in which she increasingly played supporting roles. Her distinctive voice had gradually become grittier. She made her last tour in 2008 with a performance about her now deceased parents. After that, she largely disappeared from view – partly due to illness.
She never sang her former Eurovision success again. “For years I have been haunted by ‘De mallemolen’”, she said NRC. “Well, I said, I can do something else. Now I only think it’s sweet if someone remembers that. It’s been so long.’”