ZEN

This Amsterdam pop group was already popular on the local scene for years before they got nationally famous with the hit "Hair" from the musical of the same title.

The band was formed in 1965 by Siebe van der Zee (v, s, fl, b); various other members came and went: Caro Kalkman (v), Dirk van der Ploeg (v, g, later solo), Valentijn Geverts (dr, o, p, in 1968 replaced by Wim Taarling, ex-Trix & Paramounts), Bart Bos (b) and Duco de Rijk (v, g, member from 1967 'til 1970, ex-Graaf X & Klimax, in 1970 to Gallery). In 1968, John Brands (ex-Elements, to Playboys and solo) joined as a singer. Supported by Radio Veronica, the band slowly garnered national recognition.  In fact, they ended up topping the 1968 Hitweek hit parade chart!  After the split of the Rodijs from Groningen in 1969, the latter group merged together with Zen, resulting in the following line-up: Siebe, Bart, Wim, Ben Groen (g, ex-Rodijs) and Harry Rijnbergen (v, g, ex-Rodijs, to Harley Jay), and 2 singles.

In 1970, Zen broke up. Two years later, Siebe came up with a new line-up for his group: Dave Freeland (v, s, o, p), Ruud Klokgieter (v, g), Ed Postema (b, g, to Stud), Johan van der Meer (v, b) and Floris van Manen (dr, later in Bots).  Ed was replaced by Peter Huying in 1973.  This line-up existed 'til 1974, during which time one LP was made.  In 1975 the band featured: Siebe van der Zee (v, s, fl), Tony Souren (v), Peter Huying (g), Dick Hendriks (dr, in 1975 replaced by Peter Swinkels who later went to Attraction), Ruud Klokgieter (v, g) and (for a short while) Alex de Laar (v). Come 1977, the new Zen included: Ar Jelier (o, p, v, to Intercity), Frank Tijdink (g, to Intercity), Dick Tolsma (to Joe Monroe Band), Siegfried de Jong and Cor Kerker.

1967	You better start running away from me/I've been drowned Philips JF 333858
	Don't try reincarnation/Sad song Philips JF 333904
1968	Please accept my invitation/Dark days of December Philips JF 333992
	Hair/Aquarius Philips JF 334634
1969	Bye bye heart/Every day around you Philips JF 336023
	Get me down/Wayfaring stranger Philips JF 336063
	LP Hair Philips XPY 855821
1970	Take me down to the riverside/Let me try to cry Philips 6012018
1973	Lost suede shoes/Green crocodile Ariola AT 12553
	Silver lining/I'm so lazy Ariola AT 12673
	LP Zen again Ariola XT 86756
1976	Hair/Tiny little bee Philips 6012638

JOHN BRANDS

1971	Doe 't met je neus/Amsterdam [& Shirley] Philips 6012158
1972	Sing along/Not long ago [& Go-go]
1973	Beautiful you/I got you, you got me [& Go-go] Polydor 2050261

DIRK VAN DER PLOEG

1973	So long day my day/Loser Philips 6012285
	LP Philips 6413040

ELEMENTS

Jack Smulders and singer John Brands were the leaders of the quartet the Elements from Amersfoort; they always had a giant blowup-animal as a mascot with them on stage. After the split of the group in 1968, John went to Zen.

1967	The loves I had before/You won the score Relax 45047
1968	Imagination/Coloured movie-scene Relax 45090

Dutch charts:

ZEN
30-9-67 SINGLE tip YOU BETTER START RUNNING AWAY FROM ME
21-10-67 SINGLE tip YOU BETTER START RUNNING AWAY FROM ME
11-11-67 SINGLE tip YOU BETTER START RUNNING AWAY FROM ME
13-1-68 SINGLE tip DON'T TRY REINCARNATION
7-12-68 SINGLE 1 18 HAIR
6-12-69 SINGLE 26 4 GET ME DOWN
ELEMENTS
2-3-1968 SINGLE tip IMAGINATION

Submitted by: Adri Verhoef (a3@a3.xs4all.nl-removespam)
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