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