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Kayak

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

Kayak was a Dutch rock band that was formed in Hilversum in 1972 by Ton Scherpenzeel and Pim Koopman. In 1973 the debut album See See the Sun appeared, with three hit singles. The band's popularity remained mostly limited to the Netherlands. Their biggest hit, Ruthless Queen, reached sixth place in the Dutch charts in March 1979. In 1982 they split up, after nine albums.

Music and breakthrough

On the first five albums Max Werner sang lead vocals. In 1978 he moved to the drums. Ton Scherpenzeel is the only member who plays on every Kayak album. He plays keyboards, accordion and sometimes bass guitar and double bass. The guitar work was in the hands of Johan Slager until 1982. Among other things, the band made Royal Bed Bouncer (1975), The Last Encore (1976), Starlight Dancer (1977), Phantom of the Night (1978), Periscope Life (1980) and Merlin (1981). Phantom of the Night is the best-selling album. The original bassist Cees van Leeuwen left in 1975 to study. He became a lawyer and in 2002 State Secretary for Culture and Media.

Influence

In 1999 the band appeared on the television programme De Vrienden van Amstel Live. They then decided to get back together. They released another nine studio albums and three live albums, beginning with Close to the Fire (2000). Kayak is thus one of the longest-surviving names in Dutch symphonic pop, with keyboards as the binding force.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Ruthless Queen by Kayak. Notice the role of the keyboards alongside the guitar and how the vocals float over the whole.

Discography

Studio albums

Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsSymphonic rock