John van Leeuwarden (4 July 1941 – 31 January 2019), who recorded under the name Johnny Lion, was a Dutch singer, journalist and actor.

He also recorded with The Jumping Jewels and had a few hit songs including "Wheels"", "Africa" and "Irish Washerwoman".

[1] Sophietje was a Dutch adaptation of the Swedish song "Fröken Fräken" and dedicated to Lion's then-girlfriend Sophie van Kleef.

[1] Lion acted in the 1998 film Siberia and in 2003 he had a minor role in Van God Los.

Lion suffered from Alzheimer's disease and lung cancer in his final years,[6] and died in January 2019.