Eddy Christiani

Eddy Christiani (* April 21, 1918 in The Hague) is a Dutch guitarist, singer and songwriter who has become known both in jazz and in the light music. He is probably the first Europeans, who played on the electric guitar.

Life and work

Christiani received his first guitar in 1932; since 1936 he played in the orchestra by John de Mol, which was later acquired by Frans Wouters. On 30 May 1938 he performed as a singer and guitarist for the first time on the radio, where he sang Blue Moon; He had more success with Zonnig Madeira. In 1939 he moved to the electric guitar. In 1941, he played a first European solo on the electric guitar on his song The Windmill ( with the orchestra Frans Wouters ). His cowboy song Yippy Yippy Yay Ouwe Taaie 1943 was banned by the censorship of the German occupation; before accessing the Reich Chamber of Culture, he fled to Belgium, where he appeared and played at Dick 's will Brandts.

After the liberation of Brussels 1944, he appeared as a member of The Army Troupers on the troop entertainment; after the war he toured Germany with the Coldstream Guards and entered 1946 in the British Forces Network, before he returned to the Netherlands in 1947. There he worked as a soloist with Malando and Frans Wouters. With Op De Woelige Baren, which in 1947 he recorded with Vincentino, he celebrated a great Hiterfolg. In 1952 he founded his own ensemble, directed by the violinist Frans Poptie. In the following year he had seven hits, including Daar Bij De Waterkant ( a Dutch version of Down by the Riverside); In 1954 he received his first gold record for Zeemanshar. In 1959, he retired at first, but remained as influenced by Chet Atkins and studio guitarist in the orchestra Harry de Groot further action. In 1961 he had a comeback with sucu sucu. In the German singles chart two titles by Eddy Christiani were able to place in the same year. Marianne reached its highest position at # 28 and stayed a total of 12 weeks in the German single charts. With the title Bananas he came in at number 25

1962 took Johnny and the Hurricanes its processing of you, you're lying to me on the heart. Since 1966, he joined with the combo of Tonny Eyk regularly on the popular television show of Willem Duys. From 1975 to 1985 he had his own radio program Gitariteiten on the Dutch Radio 4 in 1981, he was the carnival prince of Amsterdam.

2007/2008 he gave his farewell tour. Since 2008, his song Rhythm for You can be heard in the video game Fallout 3.

Prizes and awards

The readers of the magazine Muziek Parade chose him in 1963 as the most popular guitarists. In 1965 he received a Golden Harp for his life's work, in 1984 the Gouden Notekraker and 2005 the Edison. In 1977 he was appointed Knight of the Order of Orange -Nassau. For his services to the city of Amsterdam in 1984, he received the Gouden Amsterdam. According to him, a guitarist award was named in 2006, which is awarded in the pop field.

Disco Graphical Notes

• De Onvergetelijke Eddy Christiani (1999)