The younger generations of people who listen to progressive rock probably don't know that in the early and mid seventies a band from the Netherlands made some impressive albums. Albums like Song Of The Marching Children (1971), Atlantis (1973) and To The World Of The Future (1975) can compete with albums made by bands like Genesis, Yes and Pink Floyd in the same period. Those albums that were released by Earth & Fire and contained a lot of strong guitar and Mellotron parts. The group had as main band members Jerney Kaagman (vocals) and the twin brothers Gerard Koerts (keyboards) and Chris Koerts (guitar). The other band members changed over time and I will not go deeper into them. The band existed from 1968 until 1990. In 2006 a group biography by Fred and Dick Hermsen was published. Which describes the period 1969-1983. The time when the band was most successful. With hits like Seasons, Ruby Is The One, Wild And Exciting, Invitation, Storm And Thunder, Memories, Maybe Tomorrow, Maybe Tonight, Love Of Life, Thanks For The Love and Weekend. And now in 2025 another book is presented about this legendary Dutch band, almost sixty years after the band made their first steps in the music world. This time no new biography but a book full of memories told by fans, roadies and family members. The book was released as Earth & Fire Jerney Kaagman Fanclub presents - Memories & Magic Forever From The Beginning Until The Future. It was compiled by Ronald Plasier, who has been following the band since he was nine. It started when he first heard the number one hit Weekend and then received the album Reality Fills Fantasy (1979) as a gift from his parents. Buying a whole album was cheaper for them than just buying a hit single. Then he bought To The World Of The Future retroactively. An album that sounded musically very different from the reggae-like Weekend. This was pure progressive rock with influences from fusion and other music styles. After that, of course, the first 3 albums that had already been released followed. After that, he continued to follow the band. But in the beginning, it was only the intention to follow female singer Jerney. He cut her out of all the band photos and only had his picture taken with her. Something he later regretted of course. Ronald is also the person who organized a real fan club day last year for the first time in a long time, just as he is going to do again this year. The book is a 250-page musical journey through time with lots of unseen pictures of the band. Most of them taken from personal archives. But it also includes beautiful pictures from well known professional photographers such as Govert de Roos, Patricia Steur and Rob Verhorst. But also, excellent shots made by fans that visited the band during concerts. People such as Jan van der Gaag, Rob Süter and Gerard Verstege. But it is not only the many pictures which makes this book rather interesting. The personal stories told by family members of the band. People who were married to the band members give a special insight into the life of the band members on stage and privately. The personal encounters of fans with their musical heroes are sometimes very moving to read. Like the young girl who misses the last bus home after a concert by Earth & Fire and is personally brought home by the band in their red tour bus. And then later on, at a later meeting when she is already a grown woman, is recognized by the bass player. Or the man who sees the same red touring bus on the highway and Jerney is waving very friendly to him. Also, what former roadies such as Cees Roos and Wijnand van Lensvelt have to tell is worth reading. Cees Roos for example saw that the famous red touring bus was parked in his street and asked the roadies if he also could join them as one of the band's crew. The special page about the Mellotron the band used is very interesting for those who don't know anything about this special instrument. Some of the interviews could have already been seen on YouTube. Such as the documentary about former drummer Ton van der Kleij. But now you can read the printed version as well. Also nice to read is the interview with former bassist Hans Ziech about the past and the future of Earth & Fire. The man who plays his part in the tribute band Memories Of Earth & Fire, Herman van Broekhoven, gets also chance to speak about the band and their tribute band in an interesting interview. I guess there is too much to mention. Did you also know that Jerney Kaagman herself once dreamed of a beautiful book about Earth & Fire? She really wanted to make it, but she thought the costs were too high. Now that dream has finally come true. This book with vivid memories, interviews, anecdotes and beautiful photos is of course a beautiful tribute to Jerney Kaagman and Earth & Fire and proof that the music of Earth & Fire is still very much alive nowadays. However, the most important of all that this book is completely non-profit on Ronald's side. Every copy helps the campaign for ParkinsonNL, the disease that Jerney has been fighting for years. Because of this wonderful book the music and memories of E&F will live long! So many thanks to Ronald for keeping their memory alive! His tireless efforts on Facebook and with this book will without any doubt please many fans of the band. Unfortunately, it is only the fans who can read the Dutch language who are mainly very happy with this great book. Because as yet there is no English translation available of this excellent book. But I guess for the pictures only it is already worth buying. And of course, to help the Parkinson foundation. Finally, here is the extra info how to order this book or how to help the campaign for ParkinsonNL: The new book (the first official edition) with some improvements and updates can be ordered exclusively through Bennies Fifties Store and is ready for shipping worldwide within a few days: https://www.fiftiesstore.nl/earth-fire-jerney-kaagman Later on online order website https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/ will also sell the book! Keep an eye on that! Ronald's Parkinson Campaign for the book: https://www.inactievoorparkinson.nl/fund.../ronald-platier-2 **** Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
