BINTANGS

The Bintangs from Beverwijk were originally named Rocket Dynes and Black Phantoms. They didn't only become known for their rough, smoky Hoogoven-born sound, but also for the great number of changes in their line-up. In the 1960s, especially in the province of Noord-Holland, they had a firm following, which, in the cities of Beverwijk and Haarlem, manifested itself in posters plastered on many walls and even a gigantic gas tank with their name painted on it. Although only one original member remains in the band now (Frank Kraayeveld, b, v) and they have split up a few times along the way, the Bintangs (Indonesian for "stars") are one of the (if not the) longest-lasting bands in the Netherlands.

Key members throughout the years were - apart from Frank Kraayeveld - his younger brother Arti (g, v and principal songwriter) and Mick Jagger-soundalike Guus (or Gus) Pleines (v, h). After just two hits, Arti and Frank left The Bintangs in late 1970 and formed Kraayeveld (later renamed Circus Kraayeveld). In 1974, Gus Pleines joined Kraayeveld from the then-defunct Bintangs, but in 1975 they changed their name to Bintangs again. Arti had already left Kraayeveld in June 1973 (replaced by younger brother René Kraayeveld) and formed Carlsberg. Gus Pleines was the lead singer between 1968-1983 and 1989-2004. He died in 2007. The band officially split up in 1985 with Frank forming The Frank Kraayeveld Band. They regrouped in 1989 and continue to this day.

Survey of the group’s members (which no doubt is not complete):

Drums: Nono Piepelenbos ('59), Rob Wijsters ('59-'60), Fred Maas ('60), Gerry Ottenvanger ('60), Leo van Olfen ('60), Jimmy Jansen ('60-'63), Henk van Besu ('63-'66), Peter de Leeuwe ('66-'67, ex-Selfkick, to Los Zomos & Ekseption) Frans Kroon ('67, ex-Hamlets), Henk van Norden ('67-'68), Hermke Klaasen ('68, ex-Blues Vocation), Harry Schierbeek ('68, to Kraayeveld), Aad Hooft ('68-'74, to Oscar Benton), Harry Schierbeek ('74-'85), Cees Brouwer ('89-2003), Burt van der Mey (2003-2004), Gerben Ibelings (2004-present).

Guitars: Klaas Holtkamp ('59-'60, ex-Sky Rockets), Meine Fernhout ('59-'68, ex-Garred Boys), Piet Maas ('60-'62), Arti Kraayeveld ('62-'68 and '69-'70), Peter de Leeuwe ('65, ex-Hottlets, to Moans and back as drummer), Jan Wijte ('65-'72 and '94-2006), Jack van Schie ('75-'85 and '89-'04, ex-Kraayeveld), Rob ten Bokum ('72-'74, ex-Panda, to Blue Eyed Bluesband), Jaap Castricum ('75), ex-Kraayeveld, to Dais and Carlsberg), Ben de Bruin ('75, ex-Rob Hoeke and Flash & Dance Band), Albert Schierbeek ('75-'81 ex-Kraayeveld), Robbie Ruijter ('83-'85), Alfred van der Linden ('85), Maarten Ibelings (2004-present), Dagomar Jansen (2007-present).

Keyboards: Rob van Donselaar ('69-'74), Jan-Paul van der Mey ('83-'85).

Bass: Frank Kraayeveld ('59-'60 and '63-'70, ex-Sky Rockets), James Schab ('60-'62), Ronald Krom ('70-'74, ex-Turquoise), Frank Kraayeveld ('75-'85 and '89-present).

Lead vocals: Arti ('59-'60, '62-'64 and '67-'68), Rob Wijsters ('60-'62), Wil Nimisz ('64-'66), James Walker ('66-'67), Nico Taihutu ('67-'68, ex-Blues Vocation, to Uzi), Gus Pleines ('68-'83 and '89-'04, ex-Hottlets), Frank Kraayeveld ('83-'85 and 2004-present).

Saxophone: Rob Kruisman ('72-'74, ex-Panda and Modesty Blaise, to Supersister), Charles van der Steeg (s, '72-'74), Frits van der Meij ('83-'85, died 2005).

Harmonica: Wil Nimisz ('64-'66), Gus Pleines ('66-'67, '68-'72 and '74).

Flute: Jan Wijte ('66-'72, to Cockney Pride and '89-2007), Charles van der Steeg ('72-'74, ex-John the Revelator), Rob Kruisman ('72-'74).

The first line-up is supposed to have been: Frank Kraayeveld (b), Arti (Arthy) Kraayeveld (g) Meine Fernhout (g), Klaas Holtkamp (g), Nono Piepelenbos (d).

The line-up that recorded "Blues on the ceiling" was: Pleines, Frank K, Jan Wijte, Aad Hooft.

The line-up that recorded "Travelling in the USA" was: Pleines, Frank K, Jan Wijte, Aad Hooft, Arti Kraayeveld, Rob van Donselaar (p).

The line-up that recorded "Genuine bull" was: Pleines, Frank K, Jack van Schie (g), Harry Schierbeek (d), Jaap van Castricum (g).

The line-up that recorded "Mickey Finn", "Nightfighter" and "Bintangs" was: Pleines, Frank K, Jack van Schie (g), Harry Schierbeek (d), Albert Schierbeek (g).

The line-up that recorded "Live Time" was: Pleines, Frank K, Jack van Schie (g), Harry Schierbeek (d).

Reformed line-up 1989: Pleines, Frank K, Jan Wijte (g/f), Jack van Schie (g), Cees Brouwer (d).

2003-2004 Pleines, Frank K, Wijte, van Schie, Burt van der Mey (d).

2004-2007 Frank K, Jan Wijte, Maarten Ibelings (g), Gerben Ibelings (d).

2007-present: is Frank Kraaijeveld (b, v), Maarten Ibelings (g), Gerben Ibelings (d), Dagomar Jansen (g). Dagomar is son of 60-63 Bintangs drummer Jimmy Jansen.

1965	You can't judge a book by looking at the cover/I'm a man MUZIEK EXPRES OPART 1002
1966	Walking the boogie/Groovin' MUZIEK EXPRES OPART 1008
	Splendid sight/60 $ boss YEP 1012
1967	Pileworks/See me waiting girl INJECTION TAR 61003
	Please do listen/No blame INJECTION TAR 61009
1969	Smokestack lightning/Blues on the ceiling DECCA AT 10379
	Riding on the L & N/Down south blues DECCA 10402
	LP Blues on the ceiling DECCA XBY 846514
1970	Travelling in the USA/Hound is on the run DECCA AT 10416
	He didn't wanna go home/The dying of Mr.Fernandez DECCA 10425
	Liontamer/Too much DECCA 6100006
	LP Travelling in the USA DECCA 6419001
1971	I'm on my own again/Demons DECCA 6100033
	The bride/Hold it Susie/Juvenile junkie DECCA 6100057
1972	You got love/Hello goodbye DECCA 6100068
	We're gonna make it/Well then it’s alright DECCA 6100082
	LP Ridin' with the Bintangs (comp.) DECCA 6454420
1973	Hey dupes/Blue funk WARNER BROS WB 16263
	LP Down south blues (comp.) DECCA PD 12032
1974	Wait/I been hoodood NEGRAM NG 410
1975	Open and busted/Insight inside out RCA YHPBO 0901
	LP Genuine bull RCA AYDL 10982
1978	Big black tank / Mush Mouth Milly PHILIPS 6075038 
	LP Travelling in the USA (re) DECCA 6440677
	LP Bintangs PHILIPS 6410 955 
1979	LP Night Fighter ARIOLA 200525
	Let Me Pass / Tequila ARIOLA 100743 
	Snake In The Grass / Floating ARIOLA 100502 
1980	LP Mickey Finn ARIOLA 202119
	Rock The Socks Out Of Your Shoes/Friday night's All Gone ARIOLA 102060 
1981	LP Still going strong (comp.) ARIOLA 204348
	Air Travel/Don't stop ARIOLA 103032
1982	Bayou Woman/Handmade High Heeled Flesh Colored Boots LARK INS 1475
	It's All In My Room/Nightfighter CNR 144995 
	Rosemary Nymphet/Sorry Jim CNR 144948 
1983	LP Live Time LARK INL 3639 
	I Wanna Be Your Cigarette/Old Cats, Young Rats POLYDOR 815370-7
1985	2LP Bye Bye - live In Paradiso UNIVERSE 2 LS 84 
1988	CD Original tapes DECCA 8363 562 (tracks off Ridin' With The Bintangs & Travelling In The Usa) 
1991	CD Alright Alright UNIVERSE CDLS 258719 
	Put It In A Dark Place/I'm a scarecrow UNIVERSE 114965
	CD Live File (compilation of Bye Bye) UNIVERSE CDSP 8808 
1993	CD Acoustic Adventures UNIVERSE CDLS 58739 
	Alright Alright/Floatin' (acoustic) VIRGIN 165 500 
1994	CD Ruby Red Hot BANANAS 480518.2 
	I Wish It Would Rain/Downside Up VIA 997057 3 
1996	2CD Dynamite Night Live At Paradiso BANANAS 483937-2 
	Rhythm Of Your Heartbeat/Excuse Me BANANAS 662010 1
2001	2CD I'm on my own again (40 All time favourites) HUNTER HM 1324-2
2002	CD La Femme Sans Tête AG MUSIC AGM 1267 
	Heroes of hype Radio Version/Album Version AG MUSIC AGM 1269 
2003	2CD The complete collection (singles) HUNTER HM 14772
2006	CD Doc WHO'S NEXT RECORDS WNR-2006002 
2007	CD Rarities CORAZONG CRZ 185331 
2009	CD Fire And Iron CORAZONG CRZ 255119

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