Pierre Kartner, a well-known Dutch musician, died on November 8, 2022, at the age of 87. A family spokesman confirmed the news, adding that Kartner was buried on November 11. Kartner rose to prominence after portraying Vader Abraham on stage. He authored 1600 songs and was best known for his 1977 hit “Smurf Song.” He also established himself as one of the most successful performers in Dutch Top 40 history.
Pierre Kartner was an accomplished musician, composer, and record producer.
Pierre Kartner, born on April 11, 1935, started his musical career at the age of eight when he won a local contest. Kartner worked as a promoter and producer for the record label Dureco, and he and Annie de Reuver established the duo Duo X. He was also a member of the band Corry & de Rekels and composed the music for the opening and closing credits of the Moomin and Ik ben verliefd cartoon adaptations of the TV series Moomin and Ik ben verliefd (Shalalie).
Pierre penned a Dutch carnival song, Father Abraham had seven sons, in 1971. This gave rise to his alter ego, Father Abraham (Vader Abraham, in Dutch). His duet with Wilma Landkroon, Zou het erg zijn, lieve opa (Would it be horrible, sweet grandfather?) charted at number one in the Netherlands. In 1975, he recorded his second greatest hit, The Little Café by the Harbor.
In May 1977, Kartner was invited to write a promotional song for The Smurfs, which resulted in the production of the single The Smurf Song. Pierre recorded the track with the dancing outfit Dynamite in 2005. Pierre recorded a duet, den Uyl is in the oil, with politician Hendrik Koekoek in reaction to the 1973 oil crisis. During the 1975 carnival season, he authored What do we do with the Arabs here?
In 2002, he collaborated with Pim Fortuyn on Wimmetje gaat, Pimmetje komt (Wim goes, Pim arrives). Dear King, released in 2012, and I Want the Guilder Back, released in 2016. Pierre received the Buma Export Award in 1978, as well as the Burna Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
On Twitter, fans pay respect to Vader Abraham.
Pierre Kartner (stage name: Vader Abraham) was a well-known musician. Fans shared their sorrow on Twitter after learning of his death:
The brilliant Dutch singer-songwriter Pierre Kartner has died. He is known for the song “In ‘t kleine café aan de haven”. It was performed by many artists all over the world. Like Mireille Mathieu, Engelbert Humperdinck, James Last and Joe Dassin’s (Le café des Trois colombes). pic.twitter.com/PG4hjOsaDO
— Klaas Meijer (@klaasm67) November 11, 2022
Farewell, Pierre Kartner, aka Father Abraham. When retro music shows remember the 70s, the Dutchman’s contribution is often overlooked. In reality, the man behind The Smurfs gave us some of the biggest hits of 1978, selling 17 million records worldwide. pic.twitter.com/MQKDUn55ks
— Sue Charles (@Sue_Charles) November 12, 2022
