Manke Nelis, born Cornelis Pieters on December 16, 1919, in Groenlo, Netherlands, was a Dutch levenslied singer. He began his musical career as a bass player, often accompanying his brother-in-law, accordionist Johnny Meijer. In the 1950s, he started singing under the stage name Carlo Pietro and performed Amsterdam folk songs. His breakthrough came with the release of "Kleine Jodeljongen" in 1985, which became one of his biggest hits. Throughout his career, Manke Nelis released several albums including Manke Nelis (1987), Een Halve Eeuw Manke Nelis (1987), and Blijven Lachen in het Leven (1988). He also survived a bus accident during an American tour near San Diego in 1987. Manke Nelis passed away on October 8, 1993, at the age of 73 due to cancer. A statue of Manke Nelis was placed on Johnny Jordaan Square off the Elandsgracht, alongside statues for Johnny Jordaan, Tante Leen, and Johnny Meijer.
