Louis Neefs
Louis Neefs (born Ludwig Adèle Maria Jozef Neefs) was a Belgian singer and presenter. He was born on 8 August 1937 in Gierle, Belgium, and died on 25 December 1980 in Lier at age 43.
While studying technical drawing in Mechelen, he joined the college choir and learned to play guitar. He later joined a group called Sun Spot, and a talent scout helped him sign a contract in 1958. His first album came out in 1960, and he had several popular songs in the Flemish charts and some success in the Netherlands.
Neefs represented Belgium twice at the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1967 he sang Ik heb zorgen and finished seventh in Vienna. In 1969 he performed Jennifer Jennings and finished seventh again in Madrid.
His biggest hit was Margrietje, which reached number 4 in 1972. He also provided the Dutch voice for Thomas O'Malley in Disney's The Aristocats.
Alongside music, Neefs hosted television and radio programs for the Flemish broadcaster VRT and became involved in politics, serving as a councillor in Mechelen.
He was married to Liliane, and they had two sons, Ludwig and Günther; Günther later became a well-known singer in Belgium. Neefs died in a road accident in Lier on 25 December 1980; his wife also died in the crash.
A bust of Neefs was unveiled in Gierle on 5 August 2007. The asteroid 38018 Louisneefs was named in his memory.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 21:53 (CET).