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Vandenberg

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

Vandenberg is a Dutch hard rock band from Amsterdam, formed in 1981 and named after guitarist Adriaan van den Berg, who calls himself Adrian Vandenberg internationally. He brought in singer Bert Heerink, bassist Dick Kemper and drummer Jos Zoomer. A demo ended up with the journalist Kees Baars, who became manager and placed the group with Atlantic Records. The debut album Vandenberg was recorded at the Sol Studios of Jimmy Page, the former guitarist of Led Zeppelin.

Music and breakthrough

The 1983 single Burning Heart also did well in America. Heading for a Storm followed, with Different Worlds, and in 1985 Alibi, produced by Jaap Eggermont, the former drummer of Golden Earring. The band toured the United States as the support act for Ozzy Osbourne and Kiss and played Japan on its own in 1984. Alibi did not make the charts and Heerink left the group.

Influence

In 1987 David Coverdale asked Vandenberg to be Whitesnake's permanent guitarist, after he had already played as a guest soloist. He accepted, because his own band had little success. In 2020 he used the name again for a new line-up, with the album 2020, and in 2023 with Sin. The music of Vandenberg is melodic hard rock with heavy guitar riffs, multi-voice vocal parts and choruses that seemed made for American radio. In the Nederpop of School of Rock, the band shows that Dutch rock could also sound right for the American market.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Burning Heart by Vandenberg. Notice the guitar riff and the chorus that seems made to be sung along to on the radio.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Mentioned in other articles

Categories: Artists