Earth & Fire Singer and Idols Judge Jerney Kaagman (79) Passes Away

The singer, best known for the band Earth & Fire, suffered from Parkinson’s disease for many years and passed away last Friday. The funeral took place in private on Thursday afternoon.

In the 1970s, Kaagman scored hits with Earth & Fire such as Memories and Weekend. In addition to the singer, the band consisted of twin brothers Gerard and Chris Koerts, who played guitar and keyboards. The group disbanded in 1983.

Afterward, Kaagman released several solo albums, including Run and Made on Earth. From 2002 to 2008, she was also one of the regular judges on the RTL talent show Idols, where she was known for her honest, sharp, and nuanced opinions.

In October 2012, Kaagman announced that she had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, for which she took daily medication. The Earth & Fire singer shared at the time that she appreciated people showing more understanding after the announcement.

“When people see me walking down the street with an expressionless face, they now know it’s not because I’m unfriendly or moody, but simply a result of Parkinson’s.”

Active Behind and In Front of the Scenes for Music

Kaagman was not only active as a singer and judge, but she also dedicated herself to Dutch music for many years. In 2000, she became chair of the Conamus Foundation, now known as Buma Cultuur. The organization promotes the purchase, use, and export of Dutch music and music copyrights. She stepped down as director in 2009.

Kaagman was also chair of BV Pop, the organization that created the annual Pop Prize. Additionally, she was a manager at Radio Noordzee Nationaal (which later became Qmusic).

Throughout her career, Kaagman received several honors, including being named a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Dutch Pop Venues, and the Hans Kosterman Prize from copyright organizations Sena and NORMA. From 2009 onwards, she increasingly withdrew from the public eye.

From 1974, Kaagman lived together with Bert Ruiter, the producer of Earth & Fire. He passed away in 2022.

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