“He was a wonderful, loving father and husband; a wise, erudite man with a razor-sharp sense of humor and language,” his family said. The funeral will be held privately. The family asks for peace and privacy and makes no further announcements.
Vrienten has been the frontman of Doe Maar since 1980. The band had hits with songs like Since 1 Day Or 2 (32 years), Is this all and lovesick† The group originally broke up in 1984, but has reunited regularly since a reunion in 2000. Doe Maar was supposed to start a farewell tour last fall, but it was canceled due to Van Vrienten’s illness. Together with George Kooijmans and Boudewijn de Groot, he was also part of the trio Strange Kostgangers.
Composer
The singer also worked as a composer and made soundtracks for dozens of films and documentaries. He recently worked on the musical The King of Amsterdamwhich will premiere later this year.
Vrienten leaves behind his wife Gala Veldhoen and their two sons and two sons and a daughter from a previous relationship.