Wannes Van de Velde

Who was Wannes Van de Velde?

Wannes Van de Velde, born Willy Cecile Johannes Van de Velde, in Antwerp, was a Flemish singer, musician, poet and artist.

His father, Jaak Van de Velde, was a metal worker and talented singer, his mother a housewife and singer. He grew up in the Zirkstraat, near the Antwerp Red Light district. At home the young boy was always surrounded by music.

Van de Velde died at Antwerp on 10 November 2008, aged 71.