Kurt Darren

Kurt Darren one of South Africa's well know singer's

Kurt Darren with one of his songs Standing on the Edge

Kurt Darren

Kurt Johan van Heerden better known as Kurt Darren, is a South African singer, songwriter and television presenter, who won 7 South African Music Awards (SAMA) from 2007 to 2011. He has also appeared in a number of South African films.

His debut was with the album For Your Precious Love released in 1995. From 2006 to 2011, Darren was the presenter of the popular South African show Jukebox broadcast on kykNET. During the programme, callers would have the opportunity to request and dedicate music videos of their choice. SMS (text) messages would also roll in during the program. The program was broadcast live on various radio stations as well on Sunday evenings.

Popularity in Europe

Many of Kurt Darren's songs in Afrikaans are known in Europe through cover versions particularly by artists in the Netherlands and Belgium, and to some extent in Germany and Austria. Songs covered in Dutch include "Staan Op", covered by Jan Smit as "Sta Op", "Meisie Meisie" by Henk Wijngaard as "Meissie Meissie", "Kaptein Span die Seile" as "Kap'tein" by Bart Kaëll, "Hemel op Tafelberg" as "Die Zomer Gaat Nooit Voorbij" by Wim Soutaer, "Af en af" by Hellemaal Hollands and "Bloubergstrand se sonsak" as "Dromendans" by Vinzzent, while Klostertaler covered "Meisie Meisie" in German.

Personal life

Darren married South African model Dunay Nortjé on 8 January 2011.

On 7 July 2013, Darren suffered serious injuries as a result of a car accident on his way home after watching a rugby match. His agent Marnus Bisschoff and his secretary were also seriously injured. All were airlifted urgently to hospital where tests showed he had 11 broken ribs and serious injuries to his head. He was released after weeks of treatment. Many of his scheduled concerts had to be canceled. He returned to active life months later with a rescheduled gig dates and a tour in US and Europe beginning of 2014.

CDs

1995:
For Your Precious Love
1997:
Just When I Needed You Most
1998:
Kurt Darren
2000:
Since I Found You
2001:
Net Jy Alleen
2002:
Meisie Meisie
2003:
Sê Net Ja
2004:
Staan Op
2005:
Vat my, maak my joune
2006:
Lekker Lekker

2007:
Voorwaarts Mars
2008:
30 Goue Sokkietreffers

2008:
Uit die diepte van my hart
2009:
Smiling Back At Me

2009:
Die Beste Medisyne
2010:
Met Liefde/With Love

2010:
Oos-Wes Tuis Bes (Deluxe edition)
2011:
Kurt Kaptein se platinum treffers
2012:
In jou oe