Hazes centre stage in televised ‘farewell concert’

27 September 2004

AMSTERDAM — The Andre Hazes “farewell concert” in Amsterdam’s  ArenA stadium on Monday evening will be broadcast live on television and radio as the popular Dutch crooner’s coffin takes centre stage.

Public broadcaster TROS will televise the event on Nederland 2 and Radio 2 will feature the special ceremony from 7.30-9.15pm.

Due to a public transport strike in Amsterdam on Monday, chaos is expected as fans of the popular Dutch singer gather to pay their last respects at the ArenA in Bijlmer in south east Amsterdam. Trams, bus and metro services have been cancelled for the day but NS trains are still running.

Thousands of fans are expected to the travel by train to Bijlmer station, while others will drive there and park in the underground carpark next to Ajax Amsterdam’s ArenA football stadium.

Hazes, who died of a heart attack in hospital last Thursday, suffered from years of alcoholism and diabetes. His body will lie in state on the midfield spot at the ArenA, as popular Dutch musicians Bløf, René Froger, Guus Meeuwis and Xander de Buisonjé perform the crooner’s songs.

Seats for the singer’s family and invited guests — plus several podiums for speakers and performing artists — will be arranged around the coffin, news agency ANP reported.

Fans will be able to take a seat in the stadium grandstands from 6pm onwards and the concert and farewell ceremony will start from 7.30pm.

The streets in Vinkeveen where Hazes lived will remain sealed off for all vehicles until Wednesday. Fans can walk to his house to say their individual farewells. The number of flowers placed at the entrance to his home is steadily growing. Cans of beers, football flags and a teddy bear has also been placed before the house.
 
Hazes CDs are selling furiously at Free Record Shop outlets across the Netherlands. A spokesman said the chain’s stocks had been pounced upon since Hazes’ death. Sales of Hazes CDs are 20 times higher than normal.

Spokesman Hans Breukhoven also said the documentary “Zij gelooft in mij” will be available on DVD from Wednesday, as will Hazes’ single of the same name. It is hoped that the single will hit the number one spot on the charts.

The department stores of retailer Vendex KBB (De Bijenkorf, V&D and Hema) also expect a huge volume of sales, Dutch public news service NOS reported.
 
Hazes will be cremated after a private service on Tuesday.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Dutch news