Mariska Veres

Dutch rock singer

Mariska Veres was a Dutch singer best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Shocking Blue. Born on October 1, 1947, in The Hague, Netherlands, she rose to international fame with the band's hit single "Venus" in 1969, which topped the charts in multiple countries and became a defining song of the era. Veres' powerful voice and charismatic stage presence were central to Shocking Blue's success. The band released several albums throughout their career, with Veres as their frontwoman until they disbanded in 1974. After Shocking Blue, Mariska Veres pursued a solo career and also participated in various reunions of the band until her death on December 2, 2006. Her contributions to music have left a lasting legacy, particularly in the realm of psychedelic rock and pop music of the late 1960s and early 1970s.