1 October 1947 - 2 December 2006) was a Dutch singer who was best known as the lead singer of the rock group Shocking Blue. Her appearance was striking, featuring kohl cosmetic-lined eyes, high cheekbones, and long jet black wig. She had a very powerful contralto voice, distinct from other females, which was compared to that of Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane, and most notably, Cher. Veres liked cats. She did not smoke, drink, or experiment with drugs. When she joined Shocking Blue she made it clear to the other band members that romantic relationships were not going to happen Veres was born in The Hague. Her father was the gypsy Hungarian violinist Lajos Veres; her mother was born in Germany of French and Russian parents. She frequently accompanied her father on the piano.