“Music is a universal language. Even without words, people understand and feel its meaning. From children to the elderly. Everyone has memories connected to music; a year, an event, good times, bad times. How it affects the people is simple, if  they like it they'll stick around, dance to the music, singalong with the lyrics and feel free whatever they want to do.”

Magic Frankie: Blues with Emotions

Since the 1980s, Magic Frankie & The Blues Disease has left an overwhelming mark on the Dutch and international music scenes. With their powerful, swinging Chicago blues and Frankie’s virtuosic, biting guitar work, audiences went wild in concert halls and festivals such as the Amsterdam Blues Festival (featuring Robert Cray), Paradiso with Johnny Winter, Peer (with John Lee Hooker and Stevie Ray Vaughan), Ospel, and North Sea Jazz. Magic Frankie appeared as a special guest during concerts by B.B. King and Ray Charles on their European tours. B.B. King himself offered Frank a huge compliment by signing the successful album It’s Magic. Frankie even played a guest set on stage with B.B. King at his concert in De Oosterpoort, Groningen. The years that followed were also marked by success. Musical gems like Hearts in Sorrowfeaturing the legendary Kaz Lux, and Lucky, shook the blues world to its core. Alongside numerous TV performances—such as with the Metropole Orkest for VPRO and Germany’s WDR—the “prison tour” was a clear highlight of this period. Around Christmas, Magic Frankie performed for two weeks in correctional facilities across the country, resulting in a blazing live album: Live Behind Bars. International appearances included the Prague Jazz Festival and blues festivals in Santa Maria (Azores), Curaçao, and Geildorf, Germany.

In 2024, Frankie was honored with his induction into the Dutch Blues Hall of Fame, thanks to his fans and the Dutch Blues Foundation—a well-deserved tribute! Now at a blues-appropriate age and weathered by life, his live performances carry more depth and intensity than ever—the magic is still there! A Magic Frankie concert guarantees fireworks and a unique audience experience. A true must-have in the programming of concerts and festivals. Now available for booking once again! His band The Blues Disease features seasoned veterans including his brother and drummer Coen “King of the Shuffle” van den Bergh, Pim Spetter (piano), and Joris Verbogt (bass guitar).

Interview by Michael Limnios       Special Thanks: Magic Frankie & Coen van den Bergh

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What does the blues mean to you?

Music broadened my vieuws of the world. I've been blessed to meet all kinds of people in my career. Fans, old and young, other blues artists and musicians. The blues connects, and there's always a positive atmosphere wherever I've been. What's better than playing the music you love and making people happy at all sorts of cool venues and festivals? And then receiving applause and money for it.

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

The first time I heard the blues I was hooked. You  never stop discovering old & new musical styles, first you'll learn your classics and you try to write your own songs mixed them together and build up your songbook, musical skills to support your soul and emotions...

Why do you think that the Dutch Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

Holland is a very open country people come from all over the world to visit us that means we have stiff competition, we have to be on top of our game anytime! International artists enjoy performing in the Netherlands because of the enthusiastic audience.

“The first time I heard the blues I was hooked. You  never stop discovering old & new musical styles, first you’ll learn your classics and you try to write your own songs mixed them together and build up your songbook, musical skills to support your soul and emotions...” (Photo: Magic Frankie and The Blues Disease with the late great bluesman B.B. King)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

To much to mention. But one of the most inspiring was the tours as a support act of B.B.King in al lot of countries in Western Europe and even to play a show together with the King on stage. Also the shows on festivals with Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray and Johnny Winter. Of course, we also performed legendary concerts, including the presentation of my second album, "It's Magic," at the sold-out poptemple Paradiso in Amsterdam. We also performed live at televisionshows. The tours of the major prisons at Christmas and the live album that was made from this) 'Live Behind Bars' were memorable moments.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

In the old days it took the older musicians more time, perseverance and hardship before they were accepted sometimes they died before anybody even knew their names. Nowadays you have internet and if you're lucky you can be a star overnight.

What were the reasons that made the Netherlands to be a European center of Blues researches and experiments?

I don't know if my country is the centre of the European blues scene. The blues is certainly popular. There are many more countries over here in Europe that have a lively blues scene.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Music is a universal language. Even without words, people understand and feel its meaning. From children to the elderly. Everyone has memories connected to music; a year, an event, good times, bad times.

How it affects the people is simple, if  they like it they'll stick around, dance to the music, singalong with the lyrics and feel free whatever they want to do.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

I know I’m crazy to be a musician but If I ever stop I'd go out of my mind!

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(Photo: Magic Frankie)