The Pebbles

The Pebbles were a Belgian rock band from Hoboken, Antwerp in Belgium, who came out of the beat boom and would enjoy some international success in the late 1960s.

For other uses, see Pebbles.

The Pebbles
Pebbles (Dutch TV, 1968)
Pebbles (Dutch TV, 1968)
Background information
OriginHoboken, Antwerp, Belgium
GenresRock, rock and roll, power pop
Years active1965 (1965)-1974 (1974)
LabelsCBS, Cannon, Arcade, Barclay, United Artists
Past members
  • Fred "Bekky" Beekmans
  • Bob "Bobott" Baelemans
  • Miel Gielon
  • Axel Van Duyn
  • Patrick Wyns
  • Louis De Laet
  • Marcel de Cauwer
  • Rafael "Johhny" Verhas
  • Tony Gyselnk
  • Luc Smets
  • Tim Turcksin
  • Ronny Brack

Biography

The band was formed in Hoboken, Antwerp by Fred "Bekky" Beekmans and Bob "Bobott" Baelemans, initially calling themselves 'The Fredstones'. In 1965 they met producer Norman Petty, who was on a promo tour in Europe. They recorded a couple of singles with Petty, who also suggested to them that they change their name into 'The Pebbles.' In 1967 they signed with manager Louis de Vries, who was also working with Ferre Grignard. De Vries managed to get them signed with record label Barclay. One year later they released their single "Get Around", which became their first hit. Their next single "Seven Horses in the Sky" became their biggest success.

The band scored a couple of hits in Belgium, France and Spain and started to build a good live-performance reputation, which resulted in them sharing the bill with Jimi Hendrix and The Small Faces at the Olympia in Paris.[1][2] Because Barclay was not interested in the Anglo-Saxon world, they never released anything in the UK. The band decided to send a copy of their single "Incredible George" to George Harrison, whom the song was about. Harrison was charmed by their music, which led The Pebbles into almost signing with Apple Records, the label founded by The Beatles, and sent them a telegram congratulating them.[3] However, Barclay would not let them go so the record deal was off.

In 1969, they released their first album The Pebbles, though the sales were not as good as hoped for. The discussions between members Luc Smets and Fred Bekky, about the musical direction the band was heading in, reached its climax, dividing the band into two. As a result, the band went through some personnel changes.

Years later they finally managed to end their obligations with Barclay and signed with United Artists, wanting airplay in the UK and United States. In 1973 they released their second album Close Up. They had some minor hits, but never managed to have the same success as before. The band split in 1974, with certain members starting their own projects. The Pebbles are still considered to be one of the first and most successful pop/rock bands in Belgium.

Keyboardist Luc Smets died on 19 August 2023, at the age of 76.[4]

Members
  • Guitar, vocals: Fred "Bekky" Beekmans, Bob "Bobott" Baelemans
  • Bass: Miel Gielen, Axel Van Duyn, Patrick Wyns
  • Drums: Louis De Laet, Marcel De Cauwer, Rafael "Johnny" Verhas, Tony Gyselinck
  • Keyboard: Luc Smets, Tim Turcksin, Ronny Brack

Discography

Albums
  • The Pebbles / Jess & James – Pop made in Belgium (Music For Pleasure – 1966)
  • The Pebbles (Barclay – 1969)
  • Close Up (United Artists – 1973)
  • The Story of the Pebbles 1964-1994 (Indisc – 1994)

Singles
  • "Let's say goodbye" (CBS, 1965)
  • "It's alright with me now" (CBS, 1965)
  • "Huma la la la" (Canon, 1966)
  • "Someone to love" (Arcade, 1967)
  • "I got to sing / You better believe it" (Barclay, 1967)
  • "Get Around" (Barclay, 1967)
  • "Seven Horses in the Sky" / "The verger" (Barclay, 1968)
  • "Incredible George / Playing chess" (Barclay, 1969)
  • "Mackintosh" (Barclay, 1969)
  • "24 hours at the border" (Barclay, 1970)
  • "To the rising sun" (Barclay, 1971)
  • "Down at Kiki" (Barclay, 1971)
  • "Beggar / Amontillado" / Fire (Barclay, 1971)
  • "Mother army" (United Artists, 1972)
  • "Jan, Suzy and Phil" (United Artist, 1972)
  • "Some kind of joker" (United Artists, 1973)
  • "No time at all" (United Artists, 1974)
  • "The kid is allright" (United Artists, 1974)
  • "Figaro" (Killroy, 1980)

References
  1. "Belpop: The Pebbles". Humo.be. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  2. Belpop "Episode 2-The Pebbles." Canvas, 18 October 2010
  3. "The Pebbles - The Belgian Pop & Rock Archives". Houbi.com. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  4. "Luc Smets, zanger van The Pebbles, is overleden". Nieuwsblad. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
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