It is now more than 6 years, since I made a post in the blog. In the meantime, a lot has happened in my personal life. Most importantly I lost my beloved mother, I have gotten a dog (again), which in my life is fantastic. In general, I feel like I have changed after she died. Not a deep religious awakening or anything like that, just some small changes in my approach to life. Enough about me.

I came back to fix as many as possible of the broken YouTube links, a plan still in progress, but after reading back, I also felt like making a few new posts, over the coming weeks or months.

Vaya Con Dios consisting of singer Dani Klein, double bass player Dirk Schoufs, and guitarist Willy Lambregt. Arose out of Brussels, Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, in 1986. They released their first single “Just a Friend of Mine” in 1987, to some success in Belgium and France. Soon after Willy Lambregt left the band, to join Belgian rock group The Scabs.

Dani Klein and Dirk Schoufs were in a romantic relationship. They continued Vaya Con Dios and released the self-titled debut album, with guest musicians.

The Video’s for singles “Just a Friend of Mine” “Puerto Rico” and “Don’t Cry for Louie” was played frequently at MTV, and gained the band a lot of attention. Despite mix reviews, the album did quite well in mainland Europe and Scandinavia. Don’t Cry for Louie was nominated for MTV Video Music Award International Viewer’s Choice.

The 2^nd album “Night Owls” from 1990, continued the bands success, now amongst the best-selling Belgium Bands. The 1st single “Nah Neh Nah” was one of the bands most cheerful songs, but it was overshined in popularity by the 2^nd single “What’s a Woman?” Peaking as number one in both Belgium and the Netherlands.

In early 1991, Dani Klein and Dirk Schoufs broke up, romantically as well as professionally. Tragically on 24 May 1991, at the age of just 29, Dirk Schoufs died from an overdose of alcohol, and drugs. Never the less Dani Klein continued work on the 3^rd studio album “Time Flies”. Mainly written by herself with guitarists Jean-Michel Gielen and Carmelo Prestigiacomo. This album would become Vaya Con Dios best-selling, reaching platinum in several European countries.  

A last album “Roots and Wings” was released in 1995, before Dani Klein took a longer break from music, ending what could be seen as the golden years. Vaya Con Dios returned in 2005 with The Promise and the French lyric album “Comme On Est Venu..” from 2009. Before another long hiatus. In 2022 Dani Klein revisited and re-recorded older material on What’s A Woman? And in 2023 a new album “Shades Of Joy” appeared with bread new material. Still doing rather well in her homeland. I have seen Vaya Con Dios twice back in the days, both amazing performances. Dani Klein was a force on the stage.