By Matthew Roscoe • Updated: 11 Nov 2022 • 15:37
Tributes paid following death of Dutch musician Pierre Kartner famous for "Smurf Song". Image: Digibuck/YouTube
Pierre Kartner aka Father Abraham passed away at the age of 87 on November 8 and was buried on November 11, according to a spokesperson for the family.
In 1977 he released the worldwide hit “Au pays des schtroumpfs” aka the “Smurf Song.”
A hit in the 70s, Kartner became one of the most successful artists in the Dutch Top 40 history following the creation of the Father Abraham gimmick – which became his trademark.
The Smurf Song, based on the blue gnomes, immediately entered the Top 40 at number 1 and became a worldwide success selling 18 million copies worldwide.
Kartner was also a successful composer and producer writing 1600 songs that earned him 127 gold records.
Pierre Kartner leaves behind a wife and son, as reported by omroepbrabant.nl.
Tributes flooded social media following news of the musician’s death.
One person wrote: “Sometimes, when someone dies it hits you harder than you would have thought. Pierre Kartner ( vader Abraham) is one of them. Still remember the words of his songs he sang when I was young. R.I.P. dear Pierre.”
Sometimes, when someone dies it hits you harder than you would have thought.Pierre Kartner ( vader Abraham) is one of them.Still remember the words of his songs he sang when I was young.R.I.P. dear Pierre. pic.twitter.com/5DrhlgNDZv — sonja de clippeleir (@clippiespain) November 11, 2022
Sometimes, when someone dies it hits you harder than you would have thought.Pierre Kartner ( vader Abraham) is one of them.Still remember the words of his songs he sang when I was young.R.I.P. dear Pierre. pic.twitter.com/5DrhlgNDZv
— sonja de clippeleir (@clippiespain) November 11, 2022
“I hope that somewhere in that little cafe on the harbor, with people who are right there, you have breathed your last, Father Abraham. Thank you for your many beautiful happy songs and childhood memories. RIP Pierre Kartner,” another person said.
Ik hoop dat je ergens in dat kleine café aan de haven, met mensen die er gelijk en trevee zijn, je laatste adem hebt uitgeblazen Vader Abraham. Dank voor je vele mooie vrolijke liedjes en jeugdherinneringen. R.I.P. Pierre Kartner pic.twitter.com/zJk2tZSLoE — Richard de Mos 💚💛 (@RicharddeMos) November 11, 2022
Ik hoop dat je ergens in dat kleine café aan de haven, met mensen die er gelijk en trevee zijn, je laatste adem hebt uitgeblazen Vader Abraham. Dank voor je vele mooie vrolijke liedjes en jeugdherinneringen. R.I.P. Pierre Kartner pic.twitter.com/zJk2tZSLoE
— Richard de Mos 💚💛 (@RicharddeMos) November 11, 2022
Another person said: “Pierre Kartner (alias Vader Abraham) passed away last Tuesday (aged 87). Hopefully he just got the takeover of power with Kherson.”
Pierre Kartner (alias Vader Abraham) is afgelopen dinsdag overleden (87 jaar). Hopelijk kreeg hij de overname van de macht ik Kherson nog net mee.. pic.twitter.com/zYFHdT7OJJ — Martijn Slikker (@SlikkerMartijn) November 11, 2022
Pierre Kartner (alias Vader Abraham) is afgelopen dinsdag overleden (87 jaar).
Hopelijk kreeg hij de overname van de macht ik Kherson nog net mee.. pic.twitter.com/zYFHdT7OJJ
— Martijn Slikker (@SlikkerMartijn) November 11, 2022
Another wrote on Twitter: “While one bearded man comes to rejoice tomorrow, another bearded man has left us forever. ou smurf well up there.”
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Originally from the UK, Matthew is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
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