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
Please send corrections, additions and comments to: uheep2 at comcast dot net