August De Laat

Personal

Vocation

Dutch singer and humorist who recorded more than 350 songs, including those with the famous dance orchestra The Ramblers. Because of his powerful voice and his clear diction, he was a suitable singer for phonograph recordings and radio performances. In the early 20th century he formed a duo with Adrian of Ireland (Dutch: Adriaan van Ierland) and in 1910 they made some recordings. From 1911 he went solo. He reached the height of his popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. His most famous songs are "Breng eens een zonnetje onder de mensen," "Ik heb een huis met een tuintje gehuurd" (I've rented a house with a garden) and "Brabants volkslied" (Brabants anthem). He formed an ensemble with his son André and his daughter Caroline taking turns to accompany him on the piano. During this period he also performed as a duo with his brother Ko de Laat senior, who died young. After the war he performed only occasionally, and in 1960 said goodbye with a radio special on the VARA. He died in Tilburg on 14 February 1966. Link to Wikipedia biography (Dutch)