Rob Hoeke (9 January 1939 — 6 November 1999) was a Dutch singer, pianist, composer and songwriter most famous for his renditions in the field of Boogie-woogie releasing over 20 albums. Besides that he played and recorded in a musical variety of styles ranging from Blues, Soul, Rock and Rhythm & Blues.
Rob Hoeke's most successful period was in the second half of the 1960s and early 1970s with his Rob Hoeke's Rhythm & Blues Group. He scored hits with "Margio" (number 12 on the Dutch Top 40 in 1966),[1] "Drinking On My Bed"[2] (number 11 in 1966)[3] and "Down South" which would become Hoeke's signature tune[4] and biggest hit reaching number 6 in 1970.[5] His sole charting album was Four Hands Up, a collaboration with fellow Boogie-woogie artist Hein van der Gaag which charted at number 7 in 1971.[6]
In 1974, Rob Hoeke lost two fingers in a gardening accident[7] and his career all but seemed to be over. After a few years, he started playing and performing for audiences again but his heyday was over. He recorded many more albums, one with Alan Price from the Animals. Hoeke made a solo performance at the first Amsterdam Blues Festival in 1983 where his solo performance received a standing ovation from the audience of 1,100.[8] Subsequently, he made his first solo album Jumpin' on the "88" for the Oldie Blues label in 1983.
Rob Hoeke died in 1999 after a short illness.[9]
Discography[10][edit][]
- Boogie Hoogie - Philips, P12 930 L (1964)
- Save our Souls - Philips, XPY 855 039 (1967)
- Robby's Saloon - Philips, XPY 855 084 (1968)
- Celcius 232,8 - Philips, XPY 855 087 (1969)
- Racing the Boogie - Philips, 861 822 LCY (1970)
- Four Hands Up (with Hein van der Gaag) - Philips, 6413 013 (1971)
- Full Speed - Philips, 6413 032 (1972)
- Rockin' the Boogie - Philips, 6401 053 (1973)
- Fingerprints (with Hein van der Gaag) - Philips, 6401 090 (1975)
- Two of a Kind (with Alan Price) - Polydor, 2925 064 (1977)
- Boogie Woogie Explosion - Polydor, 2925 086 (1979)
- Free and Easy - Universe, LS - 28 (1981)
- Jumpin' on the "88" - Oldie Blues, OL 8005 (1984)[11]
- & The Real Boogie Woogie - Down South Records, DS 92234 (1987)
- Boogie and Blues - Stiletto, RH 9187 (1987)
- 25 Years Rhythm & Blues And Boogie Woogie - CNR, 655.290-1 (1989)
- & The Real Boogie Woogie - Down South Records, DS 92234 (1987)
- Boogie Woogie en Blues Live - CCS10-1 (1994)
- Boogie on the Move (The Grand Piano Boogie Train: Jaap Dekker, Rob Hoeke and Rob Agerbeek) - Rodero Records, RDR 1295 (1997)
- Boogie Woogie en Blues Live 2 - RH9702 (1997)
- Blues & Boogie Movin' On (The Grand Piano Boogie Train: Jaap Dekker, Rob Hoeke and Rob Agerbeek) - Rodero Records, RDR 1297 (1997)