BZN

Dutch pop music group
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BZN
BZN at the end of their final concert in Ahoy' Rotterdam, June 16th 2007
BZN at the end of their final concert in Ahoy' Rotterdam, June 16th 2007
Background information
OriginVolendam, Netherlands[1]
GenresPop, chanson, schlager,
Pop rock, Palingsound
Years active1966–2007
LabelsNegram
Phonogram
Mercury Records
Universal
Past membersJan Keizer
Carola Smit
Jan Veerman
Jan Tuijp
John Meijer
Dick Plat
Anny Schilder
Websitewww.bzn-online.com
BZN discography
Studio albums33
Live albums2
Compilation albums8
Video albums21
Singles73

BZN (Band Zonder Naam; Dutch for "Band Without Name") was a Dutch pop group that had a string of hits from 1966 to 2007 on. BZN recorded mostly in English and French, but also had success with material in Dutch and German.

History

BZN started out as a pop-rock band in their native Volendam in 1966, playing early-Bee Gees-like harmony pop. The initial line-up consisted of Jan Veerman (vocals), Cees Tol (guitar), Evert Woestenburg (guitar) Jan Tuijp (bass guitar) and Gerrit Woestenburg (drums).

In the early 1970s, the band switched to hard rock and had its first successes, including a brace of Top 40 hits. After original lead singer Veerman left the band, and drummer Jan Keizer took his place, the band made a musical U-turn and opted for commercial middle-of-the-road pop, adding female co-vocalist Anny Schilder and laying the foundation for their status as the most popular Dutch band ever (in terms of hit singles and albums). BZN has had over 50 hits in the Dutch hit charts to date, and are the only music act to have had top 40 hit singles for 26 consecutive years (1973-1998). Album chart presence was even stronger, without interruption from 1977 to 2008.[citation needed]

BZN's big breakthrough started with the song "Mon Amour" (1976), which held the #1 hit parade ranking for over 5 weeks. Outside of the Netherlands the band has had some success as well, amongst which several hits in South Africa (such as "Yeppa" in 1990) and minor successes with their French-language songs in Canada.[citation needed]

The most important line-up change was the departure of Schilder in 1984; she was replaced by Carola Smit. Then, in 1988, the brothers Cees (guitar) and Thomas Tol (keyboards) left; they had been responsible for most of the music and lyrics. The band still remained successful, making their last major change in strategy when they decided to write Dutch lyrics, in 2003.[citation needed]

BZN are also responsible for the initial success of singer Jan Smit, who was discovered by BZN at the age of 10 and went on to have pop and schlager successes in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.[citation needed]

On October 14, 2005, four members of BZN were recognized with a Dutch order of chivalry for their contributions to Dutch music history. They went on a farewell tour in 2006 and 2007.[citation needed]

Amassing gold and platinum records

Their 1982 album Pictures of Moments went gold and sold over 80,000 units, the first local group in the history of Phonogram Holland to have done so.[2]

Final lineup until 16 June 2007

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

References

  1. ^ Winner, David (2012). Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football. A&C Black. p. 92. ISBN 9781408835777.
  2. ^ "Phonogram First for Dutch Group". Billboard. November 20, 1982. p. 58.

External links

Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
International
  • ISNI
  • VIAF
National
  • Germany
Artists
  • MusicBrainz