On the day Rob de Nijs died, Helmonder Marcel Mulders (52) to share memories of the singer with him in the mail. His mail bin was full on Monday, which is not very strange since Marcel is the singer of the only Rob de Nijs tribute band in the Netherlands. His bond with the name ‘Puur de Nijs’ consists of only Brabant musicians and they tour throughout the country.
“Puur de Nijs originated five years ago in the Coronape period,” says singer Marcel. “It was a difficult time for me and found comfort in the Nijs’ songs. They really came in. I already played in a different band, in the end we changed repertoire and we started to focus on his songs. The musicians all come from the Southeast Brabant region.”
Not only Marcel and his band members were hit by the music of Rob de Nijs. “Rob really has a lot of fans and they are everywhere. Rob also made real contact and time for his audience,” Marcel continues. “Because of this, many enthusiasts have personal memories of the singer. For example, a woman emailed that she is still sleeping under a comforter from Rob de Nijs, with her husband,” the Helmond singer chuckles. “We also tell these kinds of stories on stage, that creates a band.”
Marcel has never met his icon personally. “I have written him a letter that we started a tribute band for him. I told him that his lyrics work very valuable and comforting for many people, as it also applies to me. That I therefore think it is important that his music stays alive and that I hope I can make a small contribution in that.”
He never received a reaction from the artist. “But I am sure he got him. He was already quite sick at the time. I did not receive a disapproval either.” Marcel’s voice does not really look like that of De Nijs, but he never hears his audience complaining about that. “I try to touch that feeling like Rob did. I have the impression that it will work.”
In their shows by Puur de Nijs, Marcel talks about the life of the singer, his highs and lows that often served as a source of inspiration. Marcel adds this with a vulnerable personal note what the songs mean for him. This outburst then often provokes reaction to the audience who also share their memory. That’s goose bumps. Then you are together with strangers and you share the love for Rob de Nijs. ”