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BZN

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

BZN, in full Band Zonder Naam (Band Without a Name), was a Dutch pop group from Volendam that existed from 1966 to 2007. The group began as a pop band with harmony singing in the manner of the early Bee Gees. The first line-up consisted of Jan Veerman (vocals), Cees Tol and Evert Woestenburg (guitar), Jan Tuijp (bass guitar) and Gerrit Woestenburg (drums). In the early 1970s the band switched to hard rock and had its first successes. When the singer Veerman left and the drummer Jan Keizer took his place, the group chose commercial middle-of-the-road pop and a female singer joined, Anny Schilder. In this way BZN laid the foundation for its status as the most popular Dutch band in terms of hits and albums.

Music and breakthrough

The big breakthrough came with Mon Amour in 1976, which spent more than five weeks at number one. BZN had 55 hits in the Dutch charts and was the only act with a top 40 hit in 26 consecutive years, from 1973 to 1998. The album Pictures of Moments from 1982 went gold and was the first album by a Dutch group to do so at Phonogram Holland. The band was also successful in South Africa, for example with Yeppa in 1990. In 1984 Carola Smit succeeded Schilder, and in 1988 the brothers Cees and Thomas Tol, who had written most of the music and lyrics, left. In 2003 the group switched to Dutch lyrics. BZN also discovered the young Jan Smit.

Influence

In 2005 four members received a royal decoration, and in 2006 and 2007 a farewell tour followed. BZN stands for the smooth, melodic Dutch pop music that many listeners heard almost daily.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Mon Amour and notice the interplay of male and female voice. Hear how soft accompaniment and a clear melody carry the song.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists