Rod in Jakarta (1995) - Johnny B Goode
Singer/Guitarist/Lyricist/Composer.
Born in Indonesia, Indonesian Mother and Eurasian Father. Father was very musical and a good tapdanser. As a little boy I was dragged into music in Timor Kupang (the young Tielman Brothers rehearsed in our garage - our fathers were close musician friends).
From 1959 active in music. Started in Nigeria in cabarets and clubs as artist, singer. From 1960 in the United Kingdom, professionally with The Raiders as singer, performances with well known artists from the UK and USA (Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran), regular sessions in the 2I's Soho coffeebar.
From 1963 in the Netherlands, started in Het Gooi (Bussum, Hilversum). Sang with The fulltones, The Toreros. Started writing songs. Weekly active in Centrum De Eng in Bussum in the celllar'Twee Benee AP' together with a.o. Hans de Ruiter, Ineke and Wiebe Plantinga. Wrote 'Dreammaker' for Les Baroques, 'Ups and Downs' and 'I Protect Her From The Rain' (together with Dick Bakker) voor The Eddysons, 'Baby' for Honest Men. Performed throughout the land in folk-, protest- and country circuits (a.o. at Coby Schreier in the Schreiers Toren). Was brought into the Philips Studio by Hans van Willigenburg. Was taken care of by Ferry Wieneke (Basart Publishing). Was a protege of Henry Mildenberg (Conamus). Recording contract with Negram Delta.
From 1970 a career change (ICT). However much active in the music field. In Indonesia from 1987 - 2003 many prerformances in Jakarta and a.o. local TV programme 'Country Roads' of country singer Tantowi Yahya.
A.D. 2008: still likes to write and play songs.