John De Wilde, Last Original Member of De Strangers, Dies at 93

Jan John De Wilde, the final living original member of the Antwerp music group De Strangers, has died at the age of 93, as reported by VRT, Nieuwsblad, and Het Belang van Limburg. De Wilde passed away on the morning of October 2, 2026, just days after celebrating his 93rd birthday, according to an announcement posted by the band on their official Facebook page.

His death leaves Ernest Nest Adriaensen, who joined the group in 1941, as the sole surviving member of the legendary dialect band. Nieuwsblad and Het Belang van Limburg reported that the remaining members of De Strangers shared a final farewell to their longtime bandmate online, stating that the last of the original, meaning founding, Strangers has left us.

The Rise of De Strangers in Antwerp

Formed originally by De Wilde alongside Gust Torfs (1929–1997), Alex Boeye (1934–2024), and Pol Bollansee (1929–1984), De Strangers achieved legendary status in Antwerp and across Belgium by performing covers of well-known international hits translated into local Antwerp dialect lyrics. Nieuwsblad and Het Belang van Limburg noted that the group scored major radio hits throughout the 1970s with tracks such as Schele Vanderlinden, Bij de rijkswacht, and Oh mijnen blauwe geschelpte.

Over subsequent decades, the lineup expanded to include Bob Van Staeyen (1936–2020) and René Van Laken (1938–2016) before Nest Adriaensen joined the ensemble. VRT described De Wilde as the ultimate joker of the group, highlighting his enduring comedic presence.

John Van De Strangers Is Overleden

Na Pol, Gust en Alex is John deze ochtend overleden. Zijn komisch talent blijft in onze herinnering.

De Strangers