René Karst, Beloved Dutch Singer, Dies at 59
René Karst, the Dutch singer-songwriter known for his upbeat music and warm personality, has died peacefully at the age of 59. the announcement was made on his Instagram page this morning, stating, “René didn’t wake up this morning and passed away peacefully.We are inconsolable. With his music, warmth and unique personality he has touched many, but especially our, hearts.”
Karst began his performing career in 1979, initially as a duo with his mother, Jannie Karst-Dubbelboer. Together, they formed Duo Karst and released dozens of albums, creating a devoted following, particularly among Dutch emigrants in Canada and Australia. The pair produced thirty cds and hundreds of self-written songs throughout their collaboration.
In 2007, Karst launched a solo career, releasing cheerful party singles like “Super cool time” and ”you shouldn’t do that,” which were later included on his debut solo album. He began performing with a live band in 2014.
Karst achieved significant recognition with his 2016 hit, “rather too thick in the box,” a collaboration with Stef Ekkel, which reached number 77 on the Single Top 100. He followed this success with another popular song, “A little something for the atmosphere,” released in 2019.
Beyond music, Karst demonstrated a diverse range of interests. In 2014, he opened a unique teddy bear store featuring a “bear theater,” where he performed children’s shows with his character, Ploeff. He was also appointed an ambassador for the Reading and Writing Foundation in 2019.
Karst also made appearances on Dutch television, serving as a member of the 100-person jury on All Together Now, participating in The All-rounder VIPS, and performing a duet with his son, Thomas, on DNA singers.
