Ramses Shaffy
Encyclopedia
Ramses Shaffy was a Dutch
singer and actor
. He became popular during the 1960s. His most famous songs include Zing, vecht, huil, bid, lach, werk en bewonder ("Sing, fight, cry, pray, laugh, work and admire"), We zullen doorgaan ("We will go on"), Pastorale, Sammy and Laat me ("Leave me be"). He frequently collaborated with Dutch chanson
nière Liesbeth List
.
, in the suburb Neuilly-sur-Seine
. His father was an Egyptian
diplomat
and his mother was a Polish
-Russian
countess. He grew up with his mother in Cannes
. When she was infected with tuberculosis
, Shaffy was sent to an aunt in Utrecht
. Eventually, he ended up in a foster family in Leiden.
He did not finish high school, but he was accepted at the Amsterdam
school of theatre arts in 1952. In 1955, he made his debut with the Nederlandse Comedie. He went to Rome
in 1960 aspiring to be a film actor and was unsuccessful in the endeavor. In the 1960s, Shaffy had a homosexual relationship with Dutch actor Joop Admiraal (1937–2006). In 1964 he founded Shaffy Chantant, a theatre group, which led to his first collaborations with Liesbeth List. He worked with Dutch pianist
Louis van Dijk
. Among others, Thijs van Leer
was a member of the group for a short period of time. With Liesbeth List
, Shaffy recorded the classic song Pastorale. His hit song, Wij zullen doorgaan, was parodied by comedian André van Duin
in 1975. He temporarily stopped his habit of heavy drinking when he became a member of the Rajneesh movement
in the early 1980s.
In the 1980s, Shaffy returned to the stage and the set as an actor. He played Don Quixote in the musical De man van La Mancha (The man from La Mancha) in 1993. Pieter Fleury made a documentary about Shaffy in 2002, Ramses. It won a Golden Calf
, the award of the Netherlands Film Festival
. The film shows Shaffy's life in a rest home in Amsterdam. He had to move to a rest home, suffering from Korsakoff's syndrome
caused by heavy alcohol use.
Shaffy's condition slightly improved in the years following the film. His memory improved and he sometimes made public appearances again. In the fall of 2005 he re-recorded his 1978 hit song Laat me, together with List and the band 'Alderliefste', which became a minor hit.
. He died of the disease in the Dr. Sarphatihouse, Amsterdam, where he had lived the last seven years, on 1 December 2009, aged 76. The public had the opportunity to take leave of him at the Royal Carré theater in Amsterdam.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
singer and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He became popular during the 1960s. His most famous songs include Zing, vecht, huil, bid, lach, werk en bewonder ("Sing, fight, cry, pray, laugh, work and admire"), We zullen doorgaan ("We will go on"), Pastorale, Sammy and Laat me ("Leave me be"). He frequently collaborated with Dutch chanson
Chanson
A chanson is in general any lyric-driven French song, usually polyphonic and secular. A singer specialising in chansons is known as a "chanteur" or "chanteuse" ; a collection of chansons, especially from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, is also known as a chansonnier.-Chanson de geste:The...
nière Liesbeth List
Liesbeth List
Elisabeth Dorathea List, generally known as Liesbeth List is a Dutch singer, stage actress and television personality. She became popular during the 1960s and frequently collaborated with Ramses Shaffy...
.
Biography
Shaffy was born in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, in the suburb Neuilly-sur-Seine
Neuilly-sur-Seine
Neuilly-sur-Seine is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.Although Neuilly is technically a suburb of Paris, it is immediately adjacent to the city and directly extends it. The area is composed of mostly wealthy, select residential...
. His father was an Egyptian
Egyptians
Egyptians are nation an ethnic group made up of Mediterranean North Africans, the indigenous people of Egypt.Egyptian identity is closely tied to geography. The population of Egypt is concentrated in the lower Nile Valley, the small strip of cultivable land stretching from the First Cataract to...
diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and his mother was a Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
-Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
countess. He grew up with his mother in Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
. When she was infected with tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, Shaffy was sent to an aunt in Utrecht
Utrecht (city)
Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
. Eventually, he ended up in a foster family in Leiden.
He did not finish high school, but he was accepted at the Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
school of theatre arts in 1952. In 1955, he made his debut with the Nederlandse Comedie. He went to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in 1960 aspiring to be a film actor and was unsuccessful in the endeavor. In the 1960s, Shaffy had a homosexual relationship with Dutch actor Joop Admiraal (1937–2006). In 1964 he founded Shaffy Chantant, a theatre group, which led to his first collaborations with Liesbeth List. He worked with Dutch pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
Louis van Dijk
Louis van Dijk
Louis van Dijk is a Dutch pianist. He studied solo piano at the Amsterdam Conservatorium....
. Among others, Thijs van Leer
Thijs van Leer
Thijs Van Leer is a Dutch musician, singer and composer, best known for heading the Dutch progressive rock band, Focus, as primary vocalist, Hammond organ player, and flautist. He also yodels and whistles...
was a member of the group for a short period of time. With Liesbeth List
Liesbeth List
Elisabeth Dorathea List, generally known as Liesbeth List is a Dutch singer, stage actress and television personality. She became popular during the 1960s and frequently collaborated with Ramses Shaffy...
, Shaffy recorded the classic song Pastorale. His hit song, Wij zullen doorgaan, was parodied by comedian André van Duin
André van Duin
André van Duin is a Dutch actor , singer, writer and program creator.-Television, radio and theatre:...
in 1975. He temporarily stopped his habit of heavy drinking when he became a member of the Rajneesh movement
Rajneesh movement
The Rajneesh movement is a term used by Hugh B. Urban and other commentators to refer collectively to persons inspired by the Indian mystic Osho , particularly initiated disciples who are referred to as "neo-sannyasins" or simply "sannyasins", also formerly known as Rajneeshees or "Orange People",...
in the early 1980s.
In the 1980s, Shaffy returned to the stage and the set as an actor. He played Don Quixote in the musical De man van La Mancha (The man from La Mancha) in 1993. Pieter Fleury made a documentary about Shaffy in 2002, Ramses. It won a Golden Calf
Golden Calf (award)
The Golden Calf is the award of the Netherlands Film Festival, which is held annually in Utrecht. The award has been presented since 1981, originally in six categories: Best actor, Best actress, Best film, Best Short film, Culture Prize and Honourable mention...
, the award of the Netherlands Film Festival
Netherlands Film Festival
The Netherlands Film Festival is an annual film festival, held in September and October of each year in the city of Utrecht.During the ten-day festival, all Dutch film productions of the previous year are exhibited. Besides feature films, the program also consists of short subjects, documentary...
. The film shows Shaffy's life in a rest home in Amsterdam. He had to move to a rest home, suffering from Korsakoff's syndrome
Korsakoff's syndrome
Korsakoff's syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by the lack of thiamine in the brain. Its onset is linked to chronic alcohol abuse and/or severe malnutrition...
caused by heavy alcohol use.
Shaffy's condition slightly improved in the years following the film. His memory improved and he sometimes made public appearances again. In the fall of 2005 he re-recorded his 1978 hit song Laat me, together with List and the band 'Alderliefste', which became a minor hit.
Death
On 5 May 2009 it was made public that Shaffy suffered from esophageal cancerEsophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma . Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus...
. He died of the disease in the Dr. Sarphatihouse, Amsterdam, where he had lived the last seven years, on 1 December 2009, aged 76. The public had the opportunity to take leave of him at the Royal Carré theater in Amsterdam.
Discography
- 1966: Shaffy Chantant
- 1966: Ramses II
- 1967: Shaffy Chantate
- 1970: Sunset Sunkiss
- 1971: Zonder bagage
- 1972: Wij zullen doorgaan
- 1975: We leven nog
- 1976: Samen(with Liesbeth List)
- 1977: Ramses en Liesbeth live(with Liesbeth List)
- 1978: Dag en nacht
- 1980: Live
- 1987: Liesbeth List & Ramses Shaffy
- 1988: Sterven Van Geluk
External links
- Official site
- Larger-than-life artist Ramses Shaffy dies at 76 by RNW in NRC International