Wolter Kroes (Kroes Wolter, 24 December 1968, Wormerveer, Netherlands) is a Dutch schlager singer whose career began with a drum gifted by jazz drummer Jan Keizer and vocal lessons at 16 with Aleida van Dongen. After winning a national talent contest in 1988 with a cover of "Spanish Eyes", he released the unsuccessful debut single "Ik mis je elke dag een beetje meer" in 1989. The breakthrough came in 1995 when, signed to Red Bullet, the single "Laat me los" entered the Dutch Top 40, followed by the album Laat Me Los. Subsequent albums-De Wereld In (1998), Niemand Anders (2000), 24 Uur Per Dag (2002), Het Beste Van Wolter Kroes Live (2003), Live in Ahoy (2005), Laat Me Zweven (2005), Langzaam (2006), Echt Niet Normaal! (2008), Feest Met Wolter Kroes (2011), Tussen Jou en Mij (2011), and Formidabel (2016)-were released under various labels. His single "Viva Olympia" reached Number one in June 2008 during the European Championship, his highest chart position. Kroes performed extensively, including sold‑out shows at the Heineken Music Hall and the Live in Ahoy DVD, which topped the Dutch DVD‑music Top 30, maintaining a sustained presence on Dutch radio and television.
