Boudewijn de Groot
Encyclopedia
Boudewijn de Groot (ˈbʌu̯dəˌʋɛi̯n də ˈɣroːt, born 20 May 1944) is a famous Dutch
singer/songwriter. He is known for the songs "Welterusten Meneer de President
" (1966), "Land van Maas en Waal" (1967), "Jimmy" (1973) and "Avond" (1996) among others. On 19 January 2007 he issued his latest album Lage Landen (Low Countries).
in 1944 in a Japan
ese concentration camp close to Batavia (today known as Jakarta
) where his mother died in June 1945. In 1946, he and his family returned to the Netherlands
. De Groot's father, however, was obliged to return to Indonesia
, so De Groot went to stay with his aunt in Haarlem
. In 1951, his father came back and in 1952, the family moved, with his new stepmother, to Heemstede. De Groot lived in Heemstede
in the same street as his future lyricist, Lennaert Nijgh, who was a friend of De Groot's stepbrother.
. Lenneart Nijgh wrote his lyrics. After their high school-period they both decided to go to a film academy. In their last year, Nijgh made the short movie "Feestje Bouwen", for which De Groot wrote two songs. During one of the presentations of the movie, television journalist Ed Lautenslager became impressed with De Groot's talent, and subsequently helped him to get a contract with record label Philips
. De Groot's first single, "Strand", appeared in 1964 and led to some media attention. He followed it up with "Elegie prenatale" and "De morgen", and his recurring appearances in the television show "Kaberet Kroniek" made De Groot a minor national celebrity. The single "Noordzee" in February 1964 was a much bigger hit, but the huge breakthrough came in 1966 with Lenneart Nijgh's adaptation of a song from Charles Aznavour
's "Une enfant de seize ans", retitled "Meisje van 16". This was De Groot's first song to appear in a music chart. He soon quit his job to become a full-time singer. After a while, his first album Boudewijn de Groot, recorded with the Frans de Kok orchestra, was released by record label Decca
.
movement during that time and created the album Picknick. The songs sounded a lot like a mix of George Harrison
's work on The Beatles
albums and their own work. The album was well received, and the single "Picknick" was a hit. The duet "Meester Prikkebeen" (together with Elly Nieman) entered the charts two months later. Two other songs, "Waterdrager" and "Als de rook om je hoofd is verdwenen" were minor hits in 1968.
, the guitarist of Cuby and the Blizzards and, under the name Tower, they recorded the single "In Your Life", which became a hit. After this, he started working with Lucien Duzee, and they created his fourth album Nacht en ontij. The record didn't sound like De Groot's old work, and the single didn't make it in the charts. The new singles from Tower also failed, and De Groot gave up singing. He moved to a farm in Dwingeloo. After a year, De Groot returned as the producer of Rob de Nijs
and Oscar Benton.
Meanwhile, De Groot en Nijgh had orchestrated the comeback of Rob de Nijs, writing a string of hits for him, including "Jan Klaassen de trompetter" and "Malle Babbe".
In 1975, Boudewijn wrote the album Waar ik woon en wie ik ben with his old classmate René Daalder. The single "Ik ben Ik" became a hit. De Groot moved to California
a few months later for inspiration, and did not return until 1977. He made no new records in this period, but toured in Belgium and Holland. One of the songs he wrote in California, "Annabel", became a hit for Hans de Booy. In April 1980, his new album Van een afstand was released. It contained the single and the title song for the movie "Tip van de sluier". The single and movie were not successes, but the album won an Edison. De Groot quit in 1984 after the release of his 8th album, Maalstroom.
and in "Het dagboek van Anne Frank" where he plays the role of Otto Frank
. De Groot also translates all the works of Stephen King
.
also releases an album with old work and new released work. De Groot starts going on tours again and he reappears in TV-shows sometimes again. He starts writing non-commercial albums along with Nijgh and releasing Een eiland in de verte in 2003. Nijgh died in 2002. On 19 January 2007 he issues his new album Lage Landen. In its entirety, the album is nearly written by himself. Texts of Lennaert Nijgh and Freek de Jonge have also been used. The album was recorded in Nashville
. On 3 February 2007 his album reaches the top rankings on hit lists in the Netherlands
.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
singer/songwriter. He is known for the songs "Welterusten Meneer de President
Welterusten Meneer de President
Welterusten, Meneer de President is a Dylanesque song from 1966, sung by Boudewijn de Groot. Like most of his other songs, this one was written with songwriter Lennaert Nijgh. The music was composed by Boudewijn de Groot himself. The song is a protest against the war in Vietnam and the president...
" (1966), "Land van Maas en Waal" (1967), "Jimmy" (1973) and "Avond" (1996) among others. On 19 January 2007 he issued his latest album Lage Landen (Low Countries).
Youth
Boudewijn de Groot was born in IndonesiaIndonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
in 1944 in a Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese concentration camp close to Batavia (today known as Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
) where his mother died in June 1945. In 1946, he and his family returned to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. De Groot's father, however, was obliged to return to Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, so De Groot went to stay with his aunt in Haarlem
Haarlem
Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of North Holland, the northern half of Holland, which at one time was the most powerful of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic...
. In 1951, his father came back and in 1952, the family moved, with his new stepmother, to Heemstede. De Groot lived in Heemstede
Heemstede
Heemstede is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland.-History :Heemstede formed around the Castle Heemstede that was built on the Spaarne River around 1286. Before 1296, Floris V, Count of Holland, granted Heemstede as a fiefdom to Reinier of Holy...
in the same street as his future lyricist, Lennaert Nijgh, who was a friend of De Groot's stepbrother.
Early years in music
In 1960, De Groot met Nijgh at the Coornhertlyceum in Haarlem. At that time, De Groot was already singing in the style of Jaap Fischer and Jacques BrelJacques Brel
Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following in France initially, and later throughout the world. He was widely considered a master of the modern chanson...
. Lenneart Nijgh wrote his lyrics. After their high school-period they both decided to go to a film academy. In their last year, Nijgh made the short movie "Feestje Bouwen", for which De Groot wrote two songs. During one of the presentations of the movie, television journalist Ed Lautenslager became impressed with De Groot's talent, and subsequently helped him to get a contract with record label Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
. De Groot's first single, "Strand", appeared in 1964 and led to some media attention. He followed it up with "Elegie prenatale" and "De morgen", and his recurring appearances in the television show "Kaberet Kroniek" made De Groot a minor national celebrity. The single "Noordzee" in February 1964 was a much bigger hit, but the huge breakthrough came in 1966 with Lenneart Nijgh's adaptation of a song from Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...
's "Une enfant de seize ans", retitled "Meisje van 16". This was De Groot's first song to appear in a music chart. He soon quit his job to become a full-time singer. After a while, his first album Boudewijn de Groot, recorded with the Frans de Kok orchestra, was released by record label Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
.
Years of fame
Much of Nijgh's lyrics included social criticism, so after the release of his first album in 1966 De Groot was labeled as a protest singer, an image confirmed for the mainstream audience by the success of his song Welterusten Meneer de President ("Goodnight, Mister President") on the Vietnam War. De Groot's second album Voor de overlevenden was released later in 1966. The arranger and conductor for this album, Bert Paige, continued to work with De Groot until the 1970s. However, during carnival 1967, "Land van Maas en Waal" was released and became De Groot's third hit. Under the name "Baldwin", an English version of these songs appeared in the U.K. (The land at rainbow's end). The next single, "Onder ons", just made it into the charts. By this time, De Groot had already recorded songs like "Verdronken vlinder", "Testament" and "Beneden alle peil", which would later become successful but would never enter hit charts. De Groot and Nijgh became influenced by the Flower PowerFlower power
Flower power is a slogan used by the American counterculture movement during the late 1960s and early 1970s as a symbol of passive resistance and non-violence ideology. It is rooted in the opposition movement to the Vietnam War. The expression was coined by the American Beat poet Allen Ginsberg in...
movement during that time and created the album Picknick. The songs sounded a lot like a mix of George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
's work on The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
albums and their own work. The album was well received, and the single "Picknick" was a hit. The duet "Meester Prikkebeen" (together with Elly Nieman) entered the charts two months later. Two other songs, "Waterdrager" and "Als de rook om je hoofd is verdwenen" were minor hits in 1968.
Other Work
In 1968, De Groot decided he didn't want to perform live anymore and stopped his collaboration with Nijgh and his band, The Names and Faces. In 1969, De Groot worked with Eelco GellingEelco Gelling
Eelco Gelling is a Dutch blues guitarist. He and Jan Akkerman are stated as the two top notch guitar players from the Netherlands. Gelling played with Cuby + Blizzards till 1976. Then he joined Golden Earring where he played for several years...
, the guitarist of Cuby and the Blizzards and, under the name Tower, they recorded the single "In Your Life", which became a hit. After this, he started working with Lucien Duzee, and they created his fourth album Nacht en ontij. The record didn't sound like De Groot's old work, and the single didn't make it in the charts. The new singles from Tower also failed, and De Groot gave up singing. He moved to a farm in Dwingeloo. After a year, De Groot returned as the producer of Rob de Nijs
Rob de Nijs
Rob de Nijs is a Dutch singer and actor, active since the 1960s.-1962-68:De Nijs, backed by The Lords, released his first single in 1962, Ritme van de Regen. In 1966 he embarked on a joint circus-tour with Johnny Lion...
and Oscar Benton.
Newfound fame
In 1971, his record label released a compilation album called Vijf jaar hits. It sold over 100,000 copies and, subsequently, De Groot frequently reappeared on the radio. Much of his old work was re-appreciated, and "Als de rook om je hoofd is verdwenen" became a hit again. Another compilation album called Dubbel twee was also released. De Groot began working with Nijgh again, and they released the album Hoe sterk is de eenzame fietser in 1973. The song "Jimmy" became his greatest hit in 5 years, constituting a definite comeback. Boudewijn received an Edison and a Gouden Harp (Dutch music awards).Meanwhile, De Groot en Nijgh had orchestrated the comeback of Rob de Nijs, writing a string of hits for him, including "Jan Klaassen de trompetter" and "Malle Babbe".
In 1975, Boudewijn wrote the album Waar ik woon en wie ik ben with his old classmate René Daalder. The single "Ik ben Ik" became a hit. De Groot moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
a few months later for inspiration, and did not return until 1977. He made no new records in this period, but toured in Belgium and Holland. One of the songs he wrote in California, "Annabel", became a hit for Hans de Booy. In April 1980, his new album Van een afstand was released. It contained the single and the title song for the movie "Tip van de sluier". The single and movie were not successes, but the album won an Edison. De Groot quit in 1984 after the release of his 8th album, Maalstroom.
Retirement from music
After his retirement in music, De Groot wants to translate, compose film music and perform when he is asked. He composes the music for the TV series "De familie Wijntak" (1986) and for the movies "Lost in Amsterdam" (1989), "Let the Music Dance" (1990) and an adaption of the hit musical "Nonsens" (1987). He acts in the musical "Tjechov", where he plays the part of Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...
and in "Het dagboek van Anne Frank" where he plays the role of Otto Frank
Otto Frank
Otto Heinrich "Pim" Frank was a German-born businessman and the father of Anne Frank and Margot Frank...
. De Groot also translates all the works of Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
.
Another comeback
In 1996, Boudewijn de Groot released Een Nieuwe Herfst. His new record label MercuryMercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
also releases an album with old work and new released work. De Groot starts going on tours again and he reappears in TV-shows sometimes again. He starts writing non-commercial albums along with Nijgh and releasing Een eiland in de verte in 2003. Nijgh died in 2002. On 19 January 2007 he issues his new album Lage Landen. In its entirety, the album is nearly written by himself. Texts of Lennaert Nijgh and Freek de Jonge have also been used. The album was recorded in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. On 3 February 2007 his album reaches the top rankings on hit lists in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
Personal life
Boudewijn de Groot is married to Anja Bak. He has three children; Marcel, Caya and Jim.Studio albums
- Boudewijn de Groot (1966)
- Voor de overlevenden (1966)
- Picknick (1967)
- Nacht en ontij (1969)
- Hoe sterk is de eenzame fietser (1973)
- Waar ik woon en wie ik ben (1975)
- Van een afstand (1980)
- Maalstroom (1984)
- Een nieuwe herfst (1996)
- Een eiland in de verte (2003)
- Lage Landen (2007)
Live albums
- Concert (1980)
- Een hele tour (1997)
- Andere tour (2002)
- Een avond in Brussel (2005)
- Lage Landen tour 2007 (2007)
DVDs
- Tour (2001)
- Eeuwige jeugd (2005)
- Een avond in Brussel (2005)
- Lage Landen tour 2007 (2007)