Arnold Charles Ernest Hintjens, professionally known as Arno, was a renowned Belgian singer born on May 21, 1949. He rose to fame as the frontman of TC Matic, one of Belgium's most prominent bands of the 1980s, before embarking on a successful solo career.
As the lead vocalist of TC Matic, Arno sang in a unique blend of English, French, Dutch, and his native Ostend-Flemish dialect. He was responsible for writing or co-writing the band's entire repertoire, often collaborating with guitarist and producer Jean-Marie Aerts. After the band disbanded in 1986, Arno continued to release music, exceeding a dozen albums during his illustrious career.
In recognition of his artistic contributions, the French government honored Arno with the title "Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres" (Knight in the Arts and Literature) in 2002. A 2004 biography by Gilles Deleux was translated into Dutch as "Een lach en een traan" ("A Smile and a Tear").
Aside from his music, Arno also ventured into acting, appearing in the Belgian film "Camping Cosmos" as Harry, a homosexual lifeguard who neglects Lolo Ferrari's caricature of Pamela Anderson.
In 2020, Arno was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and postponed his upcoming tour. Despite his illness, he continued to perform and record music, releasing his final album, "Opex," while battling the disease. Arno passed away on April 23, 2022, at the age of 72, in Brussels.
