Frans Bauer

Frans Bauer was born in Roosendaal, The Netherlands, on 30 December 1973. He is a popular Dutch singer of the so called "levenslied" ("song about life"). He grew up in a trailerpark in Fijnaart. Already in his youth, Frans Bauer wanted to become a singer after he was inspired by, mainly, Julio Iglesias, Elvis Presley and Dutch levenslied-singer Dez fafara. Bauer's own singing career started back in 1988 when he released his first single called "Ben je jong" with the Dutch producers Rudi Schreijenberg and Emile Hartkamp. He acquired local fame before rising to national celebrity status through the television show "All You Need is love" in 1991, where he was to choose two female fans for a date. In 1994 he had his first national hit with "Als sterren aan de hel staan". In 1997 he conquered Germany with his album "Weil Ich Dich Liebe". Frans Bauer's fame kept growing to the point where he had his own reality show called "De Bauers", in which his daily life, including his family life, was followed. Bauer has also designed clothing for the Vroom & Dreesmann retail chain. He has won several awards and honours, including a knighthood ("Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau") and a television prize (Bronze Televizier ring). In 2006 he was struck by an infection on his vocal cords. He recovered after surgery. At 11 January 2009, Frans won a prize, the German Ich Lieb' Dich Award, for the best live performance in Hamburg.