Saving Iceland remember him with great affection and gratitude for his friendship and his love of Icelandic nature.
Armand, whose name was George Herman van Loenhout, only spent two days in hospital with pneumonia before he died. Since childhood he had suffered from asthma and was not expected to live beyond 20. Hence Armand called “every day a bonus.” “I’ve already had 49 additional years, so I can not complain,” he said earlier this year.
During a career lasting fifty years Armand wrote and recorded at least eleven solo studio albums and dozens of singles. One of his greatest hits was “Ben ik te min” (Am I not worthy?) which stayed for 14 weeks in the Dutch Top 40 in 1967. Armand was writing and performing to the very last. Some recent collaborations were with young Hip-Hop artists Nina feat Ali B & Brownie Dutch, and recordings and performances with Dutch band De Kik.
Armand traveled extensively around Iceland and wrote several songs in support of the fight against the corporate energy projects and heavy industry endangering the Icelandic environment. For us here in Saving Iceland it was a real privilege to witness the professional way in which he approached the writing of his lyrics and his genuine concern for accuracy and proper research of the Icelandic situation. Not to mention his warmth and humour, and irreverence for authority.
Although it is with great sadness that we salute our dear friend Armand, we can proudly testify that he lived a life full of song and colour, and that he was an inspiration to generations.
Armand on YouTube:
See also:
Week of Iceland Actions in the Low Countries
Dutch Folk Singer Fighting for Icelandic Nature
Armand voelt zich niet te min foor protest op IJsland
Armand had seen some photo’s I shot in Iceland last march, and recently told me when conversating about life he wanted to visit Iceland soon again when he had some more time. Only time he didn’t get to do so unfortunately, nice to see that he is not forgotten in Iceland to. Best regards from Eindhoven
Another friend of Armand and the Icelandic people, US singer-songwriter David Rovics, wrote this tribute: http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/11/23/at-the-center-of-rebellion-the-life-and-music-of-armand/
This is David’s tribute to the people of Iceland: http://davidrovics.bandcamp.com/track/iceland-2008
Nice article about Armand by Rovics.
Pity about the terrible “tribute to the people of Iceland”.
Armand certainly did his research on the Icelandic situation a thousand times better than Rovics.
This kind of glamorizing of the lies and myths of the Pots and Pans does no good service to Icelandic revolutionaries.
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