Belgian music stars who deceased at age 57
Here are 10 famous musicians from Belgium died at 57:
Sylvère Maes
Sylvère Maes (August 27, 1909 Gistel-December 5, 1966 Ostend) a.k.a. Sylvere Maes was a Belgian professional road racing cyclist.
He competed in the 1930s and 1940s, and is best known for winning the Tour de France twice, in 1936 and 1939. In addition to his Tour de France victories, Maes also won the Belgian national road race championship twice, in 1934 and 1937. He was known for his strong climbing ability, and was a dominant force in the mountains during his career. After retiring from professional cycling, Maes ran a successful bicycle shop in his hometown of Gistel, Belgium. He was inducted into the Belgian Sports Hall of Fame in 1978.
Maes was born into a family of cyclists, and his father was a successful amateur cyclist. His early cycling career was marked by a number of impressive victories in local and national races. Maes competed in his first Tour de France in 1934, where he finished in 21st place overall. He followed this up with a 6th place finish in the 1935 Tour de France, which set the stage for his two Tour victories in 1936 and 1939.
During World War II, Maes continued to cycle and even won some races in Nazi-occupied Belgium, but his career was interrupted by the conflict. After the war, he attempted to make a comeback, but was hampered by injuries and declining form. He retired from professional cycling in 1948.
Maes was known for his humility and sportsmanship throughout his career, and was widely respected by his competitors and fans. After his retirements, he focused on his family and business, and remained devoted to the sport of cycling until his death in 1966. Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest Belgian cyclists of all time.
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Mathieu Bragard
Mathieu Bragard (March 10, 1895-July 19, 1952) was a Belgian personality.
He was a journalist, socialist political leader, and a public figure. Bragard was born in Saint-Servais, Belgium and began his career as a journalist. He later became active in socialist politics, working as a member of the Socialist Party and serving as an elected official in the Belgian Senate.
Bragard was also a strong advocate for workers' rights and social justice, and he worked tirelessly to promote these causes throughout his career. He played a key role in the formation of the International Labour Organization and also helped establish the Belgian Workers' Party.
Despite his many accomplishments, Bragard's legacy has been somewhat overshadowed by the tumultuous political climate of the mid-20th century. Nevertheless, his contributions to social justice and workers' rights continue to inspire people around the world today.
In addition to his political work, Mathieu Bragard was also an accomplished journalist and editor. He founded and edited several publications, including Le Peuple, a socialist newspaper. Bragard's writing focused on issues related to social justice and workers' rights, and he used his platform to bring attention to the struggles faced by working-class people.
During World War II, Bragard was active in the Belgian Resistance movement, working to undermine the Nazi occupation of Belgium. He was arrested several times by German forces and ultimately spent time in a concentration camp before being liberated by Allied forces.
Following the war, Bragard continued his political and journalistic work, advocating for the rights of workers and marginalized communities. He passed away in 1952, but his legacy as a champion of social justice and workers' rights lives on.
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Hector Goetinck
Hector Goetinck (March 5, 1886 Belgium-June 26, 1943) was a Belgian personality.
Hector Goetinck was a renowned footballer and coach who played for various Belgian clubs including Club Brugge and Beerschot AC. He earned 36 caps for the Belgium national football team and was part of the team that reached the quarterfinals at the 1920 Summer Olympics, held in Antwerp, Belgium.
After his retirement, Goetinck transitioned to coaching and managed a number of clubs including Club Brugge, Beerschot AC, and the Belgium national football team. He is credited with revolutionizing Belgian football, introducing modern tactics and training methods. Under his leadership, Club Brugge won their first Belgian championship in 1920.
In addition to his football career, Goetinck also had a successful business career. He was the owner of a successful lace-making factory and was appointed as a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Bruges.
Unfortunately, Goetinck's life was cut short during World War II when he was arrested by the Nazi regime in 1943 and died in captivity shortly thereafter. His legacy as a football pioneer and entrepreneur, however, lives on. A street in Bruges is named after him, and he was posthumously inducted into the Belgian Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
Goetinck has been described as one of Belgium's greatest footballers and coaches of all time. He was known for his innovative approach to the game, which he developed through his studies of the sport in other countries such as England and Italy. Goetinck's football philosophy focused on attacking football, high pressing, and a high level of fitness, which were groundbreaking for the time. As a coach, he was known for his rigorous training methods and his ability to bring out the best in his players.
Aside from football, Goetinck was also a devout Catholic and was involved in various religious organizations. He was said to have had a strong sense of justice and was known for his generosity towards the less fortunate. His sudden arrest and subsequent death at the hands of the Nazis were a great loss to the Belgian community.
Despite his untimely death, Goetinck's contribution to Belgian football and culture cannot be overstated. His legacy continues to inspire generations of footballers and enthusiasts in Belgium and beyond.
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John J. Goossens
John J. Goossens (November 25, 1944-November 8, 2002) otherwise known as John Goossens was a Belgian personality.
John Goossens was best known for his career as a professional cyclist. He started his professional cycling career in the late 1960s and quickly gained recognition as one of the top riders of his time. He won several races throughout his career, including the Belgian National Road Race Championship in 1969 and the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne classic in 1970.
In addition to his cycling career, Goossens was also a successful businessman. He owned several cycling shops and was involved in the production of cycling equipment. He was known for his innovation in the cycling industry and was instrumental in the development of new technologies and materials used in cycling.
Unfortunately, Goossens passed away in 2002 at the age of 57. Despite his untimely death, he remains a legendary figure in the world of cycling and his contributions to the sport continue to be celebrated to this day.
He was born in the town of Puurs, Belgium, where his passion for cycling began at a young age. He started competing in local races as a teenager and quickly realized his potential as a professional cyclist. Goossens turned professional in 1968 and raced for several teams throughout his career, including Faema, Molteni, and Flandria. He participated in multiple editions of the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia, and the Vuelta a España, and won various stages in these races.
Goossens was known for his great climbing ability and his impressive performance in one-day races. He won several classics, including the Omloop Het Volk, the E3 Harelbeke, and the Grand Prix de Fourmies. He also had a successful track cycling career, winning a silver medal in the 1969 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in the team pursuit.
Off the bike, Goossens was a respected businessman and entrepreneur. He owned and managed several cycling-related businesses, including cycling shops, a bicycle frame-building company, and a company that produced carbon fiber components for bicycles. He was also involved in the development of the Time Trial Aero Helmet, a revolutionary piece of cycling equipment that helped reduce drag and improve aerodynamics.
Goossens' legacy in cycling continues to be celebrated through various honors and awards, including the John J. Goossens Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the best young Belgian cyclist.
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Eddy Verstraeten
Eddy Verstraeten (September 15, 1948 Leuven-December 7, 2005 Heist-op-den-Berg) was a Belgian personality.
Eddy Verstraeten was a Belgian entrepreneur who was known for his contributions in the field of technology. He completed his education at the KU Leuven and later went on to start his own company. Verstraeten was the founder of Softim, a software company that specialised in creating customised software solutions for businesses. His innovative ideas and insights helped to revolutionise the software industry in Belgium.
Apart from his business ventures, Eddy Verstraeten was also actively involved in philanthropic work. He was a firm believer in the power of education and was a strong advocate for promoting education in underprivileged communities. Verstraeten was also passionate about the environment and worked towards creating more sustainable solutions for businesses.
Eddy Verstraeten passed away on December 7, 2005, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire many. He was known for his charismatic personality and his ability to motivate and inspire people. His contributions to the field of technology and his philanthropic work have had a lasting impact, and he will always be remembered as a true visionary.
In addition to his work with Softim, Eddy Verstraeten was also involved in numerous other technology-based companies. He was a co-founder of The Marshall Plan, a technology venture that aimed to encourage entrepreneurship in Europe. He also co-founded First Tuesday Belgium, a networking platform for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Verstraeten was a member of several advisory boards, including the advisory council of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the KU Leuven. He was also a founding member of the Leuven.Inc network, which aimed to foster collaboration between academics and industry professionals.
Verstraeten's philanthropic work extended beyond education and environmental initiatives. He was a supporter of the arts and was involved in the founding of the Stuk arts centre in Leuven. He was also a founding member of the Flemish Biodiversity Platform, which aimed to promote the conservation of biodiversity in Flanders.
Eddy Verstraeten's contributions to the technology industry in Belgium were recognised in numerous ways. In 2004, he was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Technology category. He was also awarded the title of Citizen of the Year by the city of Heist-op-den-Berg in 2005.
Eddy Verstraeten's legacy continues to inspire entrepreneurs and philanthropists alike. His commitment to innovation, education, and the environment serves as a model for those seeking to make a positive impact in their communities.
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Willy Derboven
Willy Derboven (September 19, 1939-November 22, 1996) was a Belgian personality.
He was best known for his work in the entertainment industry, where he served as a popular radio and television host for several decades. Derboven got his start in the entertainment industry in the early 1950s, working as a DJ on a local radio station. He quickly gained popularity for his energetic on-air personality, and soon became one of the most recognizable voices on Belgian radio.
In the 1960s, Derboven transitioned to television, where he hosted several popular variety shows and game shows. He was known for his quick wit and engaging personality, and his shows quickly became some of the most-watched programs in the country. Derboven also had a successful career in music, releasing several albums and performing regularly at concerts and festivals throughout Belgium.
Outside of his entertainment career, Derboven was also an accomplished athlete. He competed in professional cycling events throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and was known for his strong performances in the grueling stage races that were popular at the time. Derboven was widely admired both for his athletic ability and his work in the entertainment industry, and is remembered today as a true Belgian icon.
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry and his athletic career, Derboven was also involved in various philanthropic efforts. He was a strong advocate for children's rights and worked closely with several charities that supported underprivileged youth in Belgium. Throughout his career, Derboven used his platform to raise awareness of social issues and to encourage others to get involved in their communities. Despite his fame and success, Derboven was known for his humble and down-to-earth personality, and remained a beloved figure in Belgium throughout his life. After his passing in 1996, he was honored with a posthumous lifetime achievement award for his contributions to Belgian culture and society.
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Hendrick van Balen
Hendrick van Balen (April 5, 1575 Antwerp-July 17, 1632 Antwerp) was a Belgian personality. He had one child, Jan van Balen.
Hendrick van Balen was a renowned Baroque painter who mostly specialized in religious art and mythological scenes. He was a pupil of the famed painter Adam van Noort, and among his pupils were Anthony van Dyck and Joachim Sandrart.
Van Balen's works were characterized by a vivid use of color and an intricate attention to detail. His art demonstrated his mastery of the medium, which earned him many high profile commissions from European nobility. He was a member of the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke, which was one of the most prestigious artists' associations in Europe at the time.
Aside from painting, van Balen was also involved in tapestry production, which was a major industry in Antwerp during his time. He often collaborated with other artists to design sketches for tapestries, and his works for this medium were greatly prized.
Van Balen's legacy extended beyond his lifetime, as his work influenced the next generation of Flemish painters. His output played a significant role in the development of the baroque style in Flemish art. Today, his paintings are still highly valued and sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.
Van Balen was part of a group of artists who worked on the decoration of the royal entry into Antwerp by the Archdukes Albert and Isabella in 1599. He also worked on altarpieces for several churches in Antwerp. One of his most famous works is the altarpiece in the chapel of the guild of St. George in Antwerp. He often collaborated with other painters, such as Jan Brueghel the Elder and Frans Francken the Younger, to create decorative works that were popular among wealthy patrons. Van Balen's reputation as an artist grew throughout his career, and he became one of the most sought-after painters of his time. His influence on Flemish art can still be seen in the works of later artists, such as Peter Paul Rubens. Van Balen's legacy is a testament to his skill as a painter and his contribution to the development of Baroque art in Europe.
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Joannes Meyssens
Joannes Meyssens (May 17, 1612 Brussels-April 5, 1670 Antwerp) was a Belgian personality.
He was an engraver, printer, and art dealer, known for his work as a publisher of prints depicting famous figures of his time period. He worked closely with many artists of his time, including Peter Paul Rubens, and his prints were highly regarded and sought after. Meyssens was also an important figure in the artistic and cultural scene of Antwerp in the mid-17th century, and he played a significant role in the development of the city's art market. In addition to his work in the art world, Meyssens was also a member of the Guild of St. Luke, a Christian organization for artists and craftsmen. His legacy remains an important contribution to the history of Belgian art and cultural heritage.
Meyssens began his career as an engraver and focused on producing prints, which became his primary source of income. He was known for his attention to detail, and his prints often featured intricate designs and elaborate backgrounds. His work was popular throughout Europe and was used to illustrate books, decorate palaces, and adorn churches. In addition to his work as a publisher of prints, Meyssens also worked as an art dealer, acquiring and selling art from prominent artists of his time.
Meyssens' personal life is not well-documented, but it is known that he had a son, Pieter Meyssens, who also worked as an engraver and publisher. Meyssens' influence continued to be felt long after his death, as his prints inspired many later artists, and his legacy remained an important part of the Belgian art scene.
Today, Meyssens' prints can be found in museums and private collections around the world, and his impact on the world of art and publishing is still studied and appreciated by scholars and enthusiasts alike.
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Ghislain Cloquet
Ghislain Cloquet (April 18, 1924 Antwerp-November 2, 1981 Montainville, Yvelines) a.k.a. Gislain Cloquet or Ghislain Pierre Cloquet was a Belgian cinematographer. He had one child, Arthur Cloquet.
Ghislain Cloquet began his career in the film industry in the early 1950s, working as a camera assistant and operator on a number of French films. He later became a cinematographer and worked on many acclaimed films throughout his career. Some of his notable works include "Les Enfants Terribles" (1950), "Le Beau Serge" (1958), "Jules et Jim" (1962), "The Confession" (1970), and "Tess" (1979).
Cloquet was known for his innovative techniques and mastery of light and shadow. He won numerous awards for his work, including the Best Cinematography Award at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival for "The Big Risk" ("Classe tous risques"). He also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography for his work on "Tess".
Cloquet died in 1981 at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most talented cinematographers of his generation.
In addition to his work in cinema, Ghislain Cloquet also directed a handful of documentaries and short films throughout his career. He was also an accomplished still photographer, with some of his photographs appearing in magazines such as Paris-Match and Life. Cloquet was known to be a perfectionist and would often spend hours setting up shots and experimenting with lighting to achieve his desired effect. His attention to detail and dedication to his craft made him highly respected among his peers in the industry. Today, Cloquet is remembered for his contributions to some of the most iconic films of the French New Wave and for his innovative approach to cinematography.
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François de Robiano
François de Robiano (December 23, 1778 Brussels-July 6, 1836 Saint-Gilles) was a Belgian personality.
He was a lawyer by profession and served as the Mayor of Saint-Gilles. François de Robiano was also a member of the Belgian National Congress, which was responsible for drafting the country’s first constitution after it gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830. Later in life, he became a member of the Belgian Senate, serving until his death in 1836. De Robiano is remembered for his contributions to the early years of Belgian independence and for his commitment to public service.
In addition to his political career, François de Robiano was also a dedicated scholar and collector of art. He amassed a significant collection of paintings, which he housed in his family mansion and made available for public viewing. De Robiano's interest in the arts extended beyond collecting, as he was also involved in organizing cultural events and exhibitions in Brussels. His efforts helped to promote the work of Belgian artists and elevate the country's cultural standing in Europe. Today, François de Robiano is commemorated with a street named after him in Saint-Gilles, as well as a portrait that hangs in the historic town hall of Brussels.
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