BZN

BZN started out as a pop-rock band in their native Volendam in 1966, playing early-Bee Gees-like harmony pop. The initial line-up consisted of Jan Veerman (vocals), Cees Tol (guitar), 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, including a brace of Top 40 hits. After original lead singer Veerman left the band, and drummer Jan Keizer took his place, the band made a musical U-turn and opted for commercial middle-of-the-road pop, adding female co-vocalist Anny Schilder and laying the foundation for their status as the most popular Dutch band ever (in terms of hit singles and albums). BZN has had over 50 hits in the Dutch hit charts to date, and are the only music act to have had top 40 hit singles for 26 consecutive years (1973-1998). Album chart presence was even stronger, without interruption from 1977 to 2008.

BZN's big breakthrough started with the song "Mon Amour" (1976), which held the #1 hit parade ranking for over 5 weeks. Outside of the Netherlands the band has had some success as well, amongst which several hits in South Africa (such as "Yeppa" in 1990) and minor successes with their French-language songs in Canada.

The most important line-up change was the departure of Schilder in 1984; she was replaced by Carola Smit. Then, in 1988, the brothers Cees (guitar) and Thomas Tol (keyboards) left; they had been responsible for most of the music and lyrics. The band still remained successful, making their last major change in strategy when they decided to write Dutch lyrics, in 2003.

BZN are also responsible for the initial success of singer Jan Smit, who was discovered by BZN at the age of 10 and went on to have pop and schlager successes in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.

On October 14, 2005, four members of BZN were recognized with a Dutch order of chivalry for their contributions to Dutch music history. They went on a farewell tour in 2006 and 2007.

In spite of having enjoyed limited international success, BZN acquired remarkable, and possibly record breaking numbers of gold and platinum certifications for their albums. Estimated worldwide sales of 15 million records resulted in a grand total of 88 gold and (double) platinum records. Thirty different albums (including greatest hits compilations) went platinum in the Netherlands, and the band released platinum achieving albums in 22 consecutive years (1977 through 1998).

• Carola Smit – vocals (joined on 25 March 1984)
• Jan Keizer – vocals (joined on 17 October 1969)
• John Meijer – guitar (joined on 23 January 2003)
• Dick Plat – keyboards (joined on 27 March 1988)
• Jan Tuijp – bass guitar (joined on 1 July 1966)
• Jack Veerman – drums (joined on 1 May 1974)

• Media related to BZN at Wikimedia Commons
• The official BZN band site