Ludwig (Louis) Neefs was born on 8 August 1937 in Gierle and died on 25 December 1980 in Lier. He was a Flemish singer and an important advocate of Flemish song and Flemish cabaret. Some of his best-known songs were 'Mijn Vriend Benjamin' (My Friend Benjamin), 'Oh Oh, Ik Heb Zorgen' (Oh, oh, I have worries) and 'Jennifer Jennings'.
In 2007, the municipal authorities placed a statue at the Barn in Gierle in honour of Louis Neefs (1937-1980). This acclaimed Flemish singer hailed his beloved Gierle in the widely known song 'Mijn dorp in de Kempen' (My village in the Kempen).
An electricity box in front of Tour Elentrik Gierle was also decorated in his honour. A street was named after him, and some walks pass by the bust.
