On July 11, 2001, the Dutch singer/pianist/painter/actor/celebrity Herman Brood committed suicide by jumping off the roof of the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel. He was 54 years old.

Brood had success as a rock singer and performer in the Netherlands in the late 70's and 80's. He had re-recorded his domestic hit, Saturday Night, for the English speaking market, and the song made it to #35 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Brood had struggled publicly with drug and alcohol addiction, and he had grown despondent over the failure of his treatment and continuing medical problems. His suicide caused a shockwave through the Dutch arts scene.

Before his cremation, Brood's casket was driven from the Hilton hotel to Paradiso (a music venue converted from an old church), where the streets were lined with thousands of spectators.

view full location details...