Eddy Wally | |
|---|---|
 Eddy Wally, "The Voice of Europe" (in concert), 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Eddy Wally, "Wow!" Guy |
| Born | Eduard Van De Walle (1932-07-12)12 July 1932 |
| Died | 6 February 2016(2016-02-06) (aged 83) |
| Genres | Pop,schlager |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter, producer, actor |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1959–2012 |
| Website | http://www.eddywally.be |
Eduard Van De Walle (12 July 1932 – 6 February 2016), known by his stage nameEddy Wally, was a Belgianschlager singer and actor fromZelzate,East Flanders, and the once self-proclaimed "Voice of Europe".[1]
Wally enjoyed a somewhat polarizing reputation in Flanders, with most of his songs being characterized asunintentional comedy.[2] Due to his limited vocal talent and naïve,[3] cheesy lyrics, he could be compared with anoutsider musician.[4] On the other hand, he managed to sustain a successful career in the Flemish media for half a century. Wally also toured worldwide, including China, Australia, all of Europe, the United States, and theUSSR.[5] As Eddy Wally was short, he tended to use outside chairs in his act.[clarification needed]
Eddy Wally was best known for his song "Chérie"[6] which became adouble-platinum hit.[7] Wally was also known for "Ik spring uit een vliegmachien" ("I'll jump out of an aeroplane"), and "Dans Mi Amor".
On and off stage, Wally usually wore flashy, shiny, expensive outfits, characterized by acamp andkitsch style reminiscent ofLiberace. In 2004, Eddy Wally's wardrobe was acquired by the Stedelijk Modemuseum vanHasselt, and was displayed under the title"Eddy Wally's Geweldige Garderobe". The exhibition comprised 115 custom made outfits, valued at up to $5,300 apiece.[8]
In October 2009, famed Belgian artistKamagurka proclaimed:
Eddy Wallyis pop art.[9]
It's still discussed whether or not Eddy Wally was an act.Jan Van Rompaey, a former host of many human-interest programs and talk shows on Belgian television, interviewed Wally many times. According to him, Wally had a limited vocabulary and was not an act, although he exaggerated hiseccentricity. Kamagurka reached a similar conclusion and insinuated Wally acted strange "because people expected this from a famous person". Kamagurka also revealed Wally had some kind ofdyslexia and wrote all of his lyrics in his ownphonetic transcription language. Wally also had trouble learning scripted lines, even the simplest ones.[10]
Wally was also known for avideo posted onYouTube in 2007 by a person from the community of him exclaiming "Wow" and winking. This had gained worldwide recognition and had become ameme, which many other YouTube users began to use in their videos forcomedy.[11][12]
At some point in time, the novelist Deborah Bishop was writing a biography of Wally, entitledWow!.[citation needed]
Eddy Wally's first job was a market trader selling handbags. In the 1960s, he became popular after his association with Dutch producerJohnny Hoes. He even had his own disco "Chérie-Paris Las Vegas", first known as "Eddy Wally's Texas Bar".
Eddy Wally used to be a regular feature on the UK television programmeEurotrash, where he was renowned for his eccentric dress sense.
Eddy Wally died on 6 February 2016, aged 83, following a stroke back.[2]
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