PETER KOELEWIJN

Pseudonyms

Bart Jansen, Gompie, Pax Mundi, Peter en zijn Rockets, You & Me, Zoef Zoef & de Bevers

Peter Koelewijn

Founding father of the Dutch (-language) rock & roll. Also a successful producer and songwriter for other artists.
Full biography

Instruments

componist, gitaar, lyricist, producer, zang

Former members

Peter van der Voort   drums
Klaus Buchholz   saxofoon
Frans Meijer   drums
Nol Passon   achtergrondzang, basgitaar
Ad Damen   achtergrondzang, gitaar
Janus Toethuis   achtergrondzang, gitaar
Harry van Hoof   piano
Roelof Egmond   gitaar
Hans Sanders   gitaar
Jos Vos   saxofoon
Karel Jansen   basgitaar, gitaar
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Mentioned in the biography of

1947   Will Hoebee
1958   Armand
1960   Tielman Brothers
1961   John Lamers
1965   Q65
1966   The Jets
1967   Bonnie St. Claire
1967   Johnny Kendall & The Heralds
1968   Egbert Douwe
1968   Fred Haayen
1969   Bertus Borgers
1971   Harry Mooten
1971   Herman van Keeken
1972   Drama
1972   Left Side
1972   Nico Haak
1972   Unit Gloria
1973   Polle Eduard
1973   Ria Valk
1974   Bots
1975   Bonnie St. Claire
1976   Normaal
1976   Tielman Brothers
1977   Johnny Hoes
1977   Onno Vandelaak
1978   Bonnie St. Claire
1978   Polle Eduard
1978   Sweet Sixteen
1979   Babe
1985   Frank en Mirella
1986   Paul Natte
1987   Guus Westdorp
1988   Bam To Bam Bam
1989   MC Miker G and DJ Sven
1995   Bert Heerink
1995   One Two Trio
1996   WC Experience
2007   Hans Hollestelle
2007   Shuman & Angel-Eye
2008   Pater Moeskroen
2010   Bots
2011   Anita Meyer
2011   Ben Cramer
2011   Do
2011   George Baker
2011   Glennis Grace
2011   Wolter Kroes
2011   Xander de Buisonjé
2013   Typhoon
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Concerts & Festivals

by Podiuminfo / Festivalinfo

12/8/23, Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam
12/9/23, Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam

Biography Peter Koelewijn

Founding father of the Dutch (-language) rock & roll. Also a successful producer and songwriter for other artists.

Played in

4PK   gitaar, zang
Gompie   lyricist, zang
Ronnie & De Ronnies   componist, producer

1940

Peter Koelewijn is born on 29 December as the son of a fishmonger in the southern city of Eindhoven.

1953

Peter gets his first guitar.

1957

Peter starts writing his first songs, which are still in English language. He starts his first band at secondary school with guitarists Karel Jansen and Roelof Egmond and singer Anneke Grönloh.

1958

Harry van Hoof, who will later become a famous conductor, and drummer Peter van der Voort, join the band. Singer Anneke Grönloh quits.

Anneke Grönloh Harry van Hoof

1959

The band, now called Peter And His Rockets, is joined by sax player Klaus Buchholz and bassist Karel Janssen. In December the band records Kom Van Dat Dak Af ('Come Off Of That Roof') for record company Bovema. The combination of American rock & roll and Dutch lyrics is unheard of at the time.

1960

In May Kom Van Dat Dak Af is a mega success in both the Netherlands and Belgium. Koelewijn, who has moved on to grammar school, is told by his parents that he has to finish his school. Peter and his Rockets sign to Philips. The singles Laat Me Los ('Let Me Go') and Marijke are also hits, although they are less successful than Kom Van Dat Dak Af.

1961

Koelewijn graduates and starts a job as an apprentice journalist. His musical career is put on a hold, partly because of the successes of the Beatles.

1965

When his job is at risk and he is offered a job as producer with Philips Koelewijn decides to go for a career in music.

1966

As a producer Koelewijn scores hits with Q65's You're The Victor and the combination Armand/Koelewijn is also successful. Freddy Haayen and Willem van Kooten ask Koelewijn to become producer with production company Red Bullet. He agrees and starts working with artists such as Bonnie St. Claire, Nico Haak and footballer Johan Cruyff. He also releases four singles with the band 4PK, a split off of the Rockets, which are not very successful.

4PK Armand Bonnie St. Claire Nico Haak Q65

1967

Peter decides to break up the Rockets because of a lack of success. As a producer he is doing much better and scores one hit after another.

1968

Peter Koelewijn records the single Waarom Zei Je Niets ('Why Didn't You Say Anything?') under the name De Triangels.

1969

Under the name Zoef Zoef & de Bevers Peter Koelewijn releases the single Loekie Loekie. Vocals are by producer Freddy Haayen.

1970

Koelewijn returns to Philips/Phonogram both as producer and a solo artist. His successes include productions for Bonnie St. Claire (I Won't Stand Between Them, Clap Your Hands). As Hal Dorado Koelewijn and arranger Harry van Hoof release two instrumental albums. Hal Dorado releases only two singles: The Bull And I (1970) and 240024 (1974). The latter song is also used as a tune for music station Radio Veronica.

Bonnie St. Claire Harry van Hoof Jaap Eggermont

1971

Kom Van Dat Dak Af is re-released and again becomes a big hit. Peter re-forms his Rockets and goes on tour again. The line-up of the band includes Harry van Hoof (piano), Jan & Hans Hollestelle (bass & guitar), Bertus Borgers (sax), Hans Vermeulen (guitar) and Louis Debij (drums). Herman van Keeken scores a big hit with Pappie Loop Toch Niet Zo Snel. The song (original title: Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast) is translated into Dutch by Koelewijn.

Herman van Keeken

1972

Koelewijn and singer Polle Eduard record a single under the name Bart Jansen. Nassibal reaches number 12 in the charts. Serafina, Bart Jansen's second single, is less successful. Having been successful as a producer for about 10 years, Koelewijn picks up his career as a recording artist again. He scores hits with Mij Oh Mij, Angeline, Robbie and Veronica Sorry.

1975

Peter and his Rockets again break up and Koelewijn continues his work as producer.

1977

Koelewijn, producer Will Hoebee, Janus Toethuis (promotion), secretary Tineke Kusters and Josef Schamp form production company Born Free, which represents artists such as Rob de Nijs, Saskia & Serge, Nico Haak, Don Mercedes and Bonnie St. Claire. The company is however only short-lived. The solo album Het beste in mij is niet goed genoeg voor jou ('The Best In Me Is Not Good Enough For You'). The single Je Wordt Ouder Papa ('You're Getting Older Daddy') is a hit and Koelewijn receives both an Edison music award and Gouden ('Golden') Harp music award.

1979

Koelewijn is successful as a producer for Dutch girl group Babe. His successful partnership with Nico Haak, however, comes to an end. The two work together one more time in 1982 and score a hit with the song Niet Geschoten Is Altijd Mis ('Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained').

Babe Polle Eduard

1981

Again a successful period in Koelewijn's career. He forms a new line-up of the Rockets with musicians from the band Bunny and releases the live album Peter Live. The live version of Kom Van Dat Dak Af and Klap Maar In Je Handen ('Clap Your Hands') are smash hits. Under the name Sterren Voor Vrede ('Stars For Peace') Koelewijn and other Dutch artists such as Wilma, Don Mercedes and Jacques Herb record a single called Van Washington Naar Moskou ('From Washington To Moscow'). The song is meant to be a call for peace but is not picked up by the Dutch radio stations.

Andres Don Mercedes Jacques Herb Wilma

1982

The single Zolang De Motor Loopt ('As Long As The Motor Is Running') is another success for Koelewijn.

1983

Peter and his Rockets score two big hits with De Tijger Is Los ('The Tiger Is Loose') and Een Hete Zomer 'A Hot Summer').

Music Hall

1984

The record Diep Water ('Deep water') is not a success. After the single Sprong In Het Duister ('Leap In The Dark') has left the charts a less successful period begins.

1986

Peter Koelewijn writes three songs for the national preliminaries of the Eurovision Songcontest in Brussels: Big Ben (of Nôtre Dame), Buiten Jou ('Outside You') and Rechtop In De Wind ('Straight Up In The Wind'). The latter one wins and goes on to Brussels.

1987

Marga Bult reaches fifth place at the Eurovision Songcontest with Rechtop In De Wind. As a producer Koelewijn also works with artists like Grant & Forsyth and Frank & Mirella, but he is not very successful. He also presents a morning radio programme with KRO radio.

Frank en Mirella Grant & Forsyth Marga Bult

1989

Another version of the indestructible Kom Van Dat Dak Af is released, this time featuring Dutch-language MC Miker G & DJ Sven (Lucien Witteveen and Sven van Veen). For the fourth time in Koelewijn's career, the song enters the charts. He also writes and produces the single My Roof Is Rainproof for the Dutch film Jan Rap en zijn Maat.

MC Miker G

1990

Peter Koelewijn and Ferdi Lancee (pseudonym: C. Bee) record the single Allemaal naar voren! ('t Bestuur ook!) ('Everybody forward! (Including The Management)') for the world championships foorball in Italy under the name Football Dance Company. Koelewijn also produces country albums for English duo Grant & Forsyth.

Grant & Forsyth

1991

The first single to be released on Koelewijn's label Coolwine Music Laat Je Handen Wapperen ('Roll Your Sleeves Up') by Idem Dito, a trio that consists of Karin Vlasblom (ex-Frizzle Sizzle), Anita v/d Velde and Edwin Groeneveld, the brother of Marga Bult.

Frizzle Sizzle

1994

Peter Koelewijn comes into contact with Belgian singer Helmut Lotti with whom he works on the song I Love You Too.

1995

Peter Koelewijn is involved in the recording of Het Album ('The Album') a CD with songs performed by actors of a popualar Dutch soap series. He writes the songs Utopia and Een Minuut Nog Voor Een Leven Lang ('One Minute More For An Entire Life'). Koelewijn also starts working with the Belgian singer/presenter Bart Kaëll. Under the pseudonym Gompie scores one of his biggest hits with the song Who The F...Is Alice, a cover version of Smokie's Living Next Door To Alice. Koelewijn and Lotti record an album with arrangements of classical and semi-classical tunes which is a big success. Also the albums Helmut Lotti Goes Classic II (1996), Helmut Lotti Goes Classic II (1997) and Helmut Lotti Goes Classic Final Edition (1998) top the charts.

Gompie

1997

Peter Koelewijn and arranger Piet Souer go to Hollywood to record English-language versions of Dutch-language songs with Engelbert Humperdinck. In April Koelewijn announces that he will stop performing at the end of the year simply because he 'does not enjoy it anymore'.

1999

Koelewijn and Belgian singer Helmut Lotti record South African songs for Lotti's album Out Of Africa.

2000

Latino Classics is another success for Helmut Lotti.

2001

New Country Love Songs is the result of the renewed cooperation between Peter Koelewijn and Grant & Forsyth. Helmut Lotti's Latino Love Songs is released on both CD and DVD.

Grant & Forsyth

2002

Peter Koelewijn and his Rockets kick off a reunion tour of seven shows.

2003

In May, June and July Helmut Lotti's Pop Classics In Symphony is recorded in the Dutch Fendal Sound Studios. In the autumn the official and very extensive reference work www.peterkoelewijn.nl goes online.

2004

Peter Koelewijn stars in the cartoon series My Dad The Rockstar that airs on Nickelodeon every Friday night. Koelewijn also works on a new solo album.

2006

Cartoonist Gerrit de Jager creates a cartoon version of Kom Van Dat Dak Af ('Get Off That Roof'). The cartoon is part of Strips ('Cartoons') In Stereo, a book/CD consisting of 14 'cartoonised' Dutch language pop songs. The book is presented in Paradiso during the annual Book Week in March.

2007

During the 10th Gala of the Dutch Song, Peter Koelewijn receives the Radio 2 Broadcast Award.

2008

During the season 2008-2009 Peter Koelewijn's music features in Pater Moeskroen's theatre programme. As part of the tour the producer and the band together release the single Het Zit Er Niet In Dat Ik Oud Word (There's Not Much Of A Chance I Will Grow Old).

Pater Moeskroen

2009

For the first time in 25 years, Peter Koelewijn releases a new album with only new songs. Koelewijn works for more than 18 months on Een Gelukkig Man (A Happy Man). The album features a basic line up with guitar, bass, drums, piano and organ, and sometimes a saxophone and violin.