Rob de Nijs was one of the Netherlands' most iconic and best-known singers. With a career spanning over 60 years, he scored hits with songs like "Malle Babbe," "Banger Hart," and "Ritme van de Regen" (Rhythm of the Rain). In 1962, at the age of 19, De Nijs made his breakthrough on the talent show Tuk op Talent. With his band Rob de Nijs and The Lords, he won a recording contract, after which their third single, "Ritme van de Regen," became a huge hit. Rob became a teen idol with his own TV series. In 1965, he left The Lords to pursue a solo career. In the 1970s, he collaborated with the important Dutch artist and writer Boudewijn de Groot. This collaboration led to the songs "Jan Klaassen de Trompetter," followed by "Dag zuster Ursula" (Goodbye Sister Ursula). His best-known hit, "Malle Babbe," followed. Their collaboration ended a few years later. In 1975, Rob got his own television program, where various Dutch singers could share their music. In 1996, he scored his number 1 hit with "Banger Hart," which spent five weeks at number 1 in the Mega Top 50.
In 2008, Rob de Nijs gave his 45th anniversary concert in a sold-out Carré. He had reached retirement age, but was far from done singing. His seventieth birthday was also celebrated with a grand concert in Carré in 2013. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he announced in 2019 that he was ending his career. He gave his farewell performance on June 22, 2022, at the Ziggo Dome. Rob de Nijs passed away on March 16, 2025, at the age of 82 from Parkinson's disease.
