Rob Hoeke Boogie Woogie Quartet, The Rob Hoeke Rhythm and Blues Group, The Grand Piano Boogie Train
Musical artist
Rob Hoeke (9 January 1939 – 6 November 1999) was a Dutch singer, pianist, composer and songwriter most famous for his renditions in the field of Boogie-woogie releasing over 20 albums. Besides that he played and recorded in a musical variety of styles ranging from Blues, Soul, Rock and Rhythm & Blues.
Biography
Rob Hoeke's most successful period was in the second half of the 1960s and early 1970s with his Rob Hoeke Rhythm & Blues Group. He scored hits with "Margio" (number 12 on the Dutch Top 40 in 1966),[1] "Drinking on My Bed"[2] (number 11 in 1966)[3] and "Down South" which would become Hoeke's signature tune[4] and biggest hit reaching number 6 in 1970.[5] His sole charting album was Four Hands Up, a collaboration with fellow Boogie-woogie artist Hein van der Gaag which charted at number 7 in 1971.[6]
In 1974, Rob Hoeke lost two fingers in a gardening accident[7] and his career all but seemed to be over. After a few years, he started playing and performing for audiences again but his heyday was over. He recorded many more albums, one with Alan Price from the Animals. Hoeke made a solo performance at the first Amsterdam Blues Festival in 1983 where his solo performance received a standing ovation from the audience of 1,100.[8] Subsequently, he made his first solo album Jumpin' on the "88" for the Oldie Blues label in 1983.
