Clouseau

For decades, Flemish pop veterans Clouseau have ranked among the Benelux region's most consistently successful acts. The group's name references the memorable Inspector Clouseau character created by Peter Sellers. Formed in 1984 in Belgium's Dutch-speaking territory, the original members included founder Bob Savenberg together with brothers Koen and Kris Wauters, Tjen Berghmans, and Karel Theys. Early attention came with their 1987 debut single "Brandweer," and after securing second place at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1989, they issued their first album, Hoezo?. Their second release, Of Zo..., appeared in 1990 alongside another Eurovision participation. Additional records followed throughout the 1990s, among them the English-language Close Encounters in 1991 and Doorgaan in 1993; during this stretch the band toured with Roxette. Although Berghmans, Theys, and Savenberg exited in the early part of that decade, Clouseau have continued performing as the Wauters siblings backed by a dedicated studio ensemble. In the early 2000s they put out a career-spanning compilation and several live sets while also delivering the studio albums Vonken & Vuur and Zij Aan Zij. Their 2013 self-titled album attained double-platinum certification and became the best-selling Dutch album of 2014. The Wauters brothers resurfaced in 2016 with Clouseau Danst, their funky, dance-oriented twelfth studio effort. Produced by Hans Francken, the album spotlighted the sensual lead single "Droomscenario" and was promoted via a sold-out tour.