‘I Love You Daddy’ star dies

Ricardo Groenewald was just 8 years old when his hit song 'I Love You Daddy' took SA by storm.

Ricardo Groenewald was just 8 years old when his hit song 'I Love You Daddy' took SA by storm.

Published Nov 25, 2015

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Cape Town - Legendary Cape singer Ricardo Groenewald passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 43.

His death, after a long battle with cancer, comes just days after a special benefit concert held for him by friends in the music industry.

The former child star was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Tygerberg Hospital on Tuesday.

The "I Love You Daddy" hitmaker had been in hospital for the past two months, receiving treatment.

On Wednesday night close friend, singer John Koopman, told the Daily Voice that Ricardo’s wife Helen had confirmed his passing.

Born in Humansdorp, Ricardo began singing at the age of five.

At the tender age of eight, he released "I Love You Daddy" which made him a household name. In 1989, he performed alongside Stevie Wonder on the Children Of The World Tour.

He made his last public appearance on Sunday, at a packed hall at the His Grace Performing Arts Centre in Parow, in a wheelchair.

Cape musicians like Jonathan Rubain, Ameen “Rappin Donkey” Levy and Zoe Zana performed.

Ricardo smiled broadly when his 11-year-old son, Rick-lynn, performed "I Love You Daddy".

Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers also thanked Ricardo for bringing the coloured community together.

Ricardo is survived by his wife Helen and their three children.

 

 

 

Daily Voice

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