Rockklassiekers Kayak 40 Jaar Symfonische Rock (Book, 2012, Verbum Publishers, ISBN: 0789074274616) (April 2013, text by Henri Strik, edited by Peter Willemsen) ![]() Maybe it's a pity that no English version of this book was published, because the summary of Kayak's history has been written well. Besides being the author of this book Linders has always been the band's manager and main lyricist. She even joined the band for a while as one of the two backing singers who named themselves The Kayettes. This book, dedicated to the late Pim Koopman, features many interesting facts seen from Scherpenzeel's point of view. Most of the facts and figures in the book came from his archive and his personal diary in which he kept all the memories since the birth of Kayak. Page by page the history of the band unfolds together with quite a number of interesting anecdotes that provide you with a lot of inside information.
Ton 'Mr. Kayak' Scherpenzeel started his musical career on the bass guitar before switching to the keyboards. It's also interesting to know that the gay manager of the band was in love with the young, but straight Scherpenzeel. He told him that he goes for men with long blond hair... The same manager appropriated a lot of the band's income; later on he committed suicide. A few fans probably know that after the break in 1982 Scherpenzeel formed the band Europe featuring former Kayak members Bert Veldkamp (bass, backing vocals) and Johan Slager (guitars, backing vocals). The band also did some live gigs as Kayak. In 2000 the band reunited after an episode of the Dutch TV-version of Classic Albums. They got an invitation to perform on a Dutch live TV-show with the help of De Kast, another Dutch band. Initially the band included three original band members (Scherpenzeel, Koopman and singer Max Werner), alongside bassist Bert Veldkamp and guitarist Rob Winter. The re-establishment of the band resulted again in some wonderful albums. The musical highlights of Kayak's second period are without doubt the two rock operas Merlin - Bard Of The Unseen (2003) and Nostradamus - The Fate Of Man (2005). These albums are mentioned as well in the book just as the dark pages about the sudden death of founder member Pim Koopman. Furthermore the book contains a complete discography and many fantastic pictures taken throughout their career. The many photo shoots at different locations are discussed as well for example the pictures on the beach in Madeira or the horse riding in Zandvoort! They underwent much pain during those sessions! | ||
This book is a real must for all Dutch Kayak fans. Foreign people who don't have full command over the Dutch language may enjoy the many historical pictures. Personally I was very amused while reading about all the things I didn't know before. After all, that's what a biography is for! Website myspace www.rockklassiekers.nl review album 'See See The Sun' (1973) review album 'Royal Bed Bouncer' (1975) review album 'Letters From Utopia' (2009) review EP 'Cleopatra/Symmetry' (2012) Concert review 15-Sep-09 Concert review 24-Nov-12 |
All Rights Reserved Background Magazine 2013 |