Andy Tielman is known for his wide vocal range (5 octaves) and virtuoso guitar playing as well as his spectacular showmanship. Many Dutch musicians such as Jan Akkerman (Focus) and Barry Hay (Golden Earring) have cited him as an important inspiration.[1]
He has been acknowledged for making the first Dutch Rock and Roll single in 1958 and leading the first Dutch rock band with international appeal. He was the band leader of the Timor Brothers, the Four T's, the Tielman Brothers and Andy Tielman and the Tielman Brothers. His career spans from the 50’s to the present day.
During Andy Tielman's heyday in the 50's and 60's his band was hailed as the best live act in Europe, cashing in the highest wages for live bands of the time.[2]
In 2005 he was awarded a Royal decoration in the Order of Orange Nassau.
10 nov 2011 Andy Tielman passed away at the age of 75.
Andy Tielman's father, a KNIL captain, was Herman Tielman (born 02-09-1904, Menado and died 14-05-1979, The Hague) and his mother was Flora Laurentine Hess (born 24-04-1901, Madiun and died: 27-07-1991, Purworejo), both were Indo-European. They had 5 children: Reggy (born 22-05-1933, Surabaya); Phonton (born 04-08-1934, Surabaya); Andy (born 30-05-1936, Makassar); Loulou (Lawrence) (born 30-10-1938, Surabaya); and Jane (Janette Loraine) (born 17-08-1940). Tielman had a carefree childhood until the Japanese invasion, when his father was imprisoned and his mother was left behind to take care of 5 little children. "When war came the world was broken. My whole world just fell apart."
His father, a professional soldier, survived Japanese imprisonment as a POW during World War II. When the family was reunited after the war in 1945 the young Andy, his brothers and sister already started performing complex Jazz standards at private functions. Herman Tielman, a gifted musician, had taught Andy Tielman and his siblings to play music. Within half a year they were performing throughout the Dutch East Indies. Their repertoire included novel American and traditional Indonesian music.
Indonesia
When Indonesia gained formal independence from the Netherlands in 1949 they had already become a household name and even performed for president Sukarno at the presidential palace in Jakarta. In 1951 they were introduced to the song ‘Guitar Boogie’ by Arthur Smith. In an interview Andy Tielman recalls: ”This was the first song which my brothers and I converted into rock ‘n roll by adding drums to it.” The band started playing rock and roll music by Les Paul, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Bill Haley, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Gene Vincent. Next to the family band Andy Tielman also played with the Dolf de Vries band ‘The Starlights’ in Jakarta and Freddy Wehner’s Hawaiian band in Sumatra.[3]
In the late 50’s anti-Dutch rules and regulations increased leading up to an escalation of the Dutch New Guinea conflict and possible recurrence of the Bersiap violence. Dutch businesses and other properties were appropriated, Dutch social services were stopped, Dutch schools were banned and the last Dutch nationals were expelled.[4] Anti-Dutch sentiments also affected Indo celebrities like the Tielman brothers and when they were pressured into forgoing their Dutch nationality the family repatriated to the Netherlands.[5]
Europe
In 1957 the Tielman family first moved to a boarding house in Breda, and later to The Hague in the Netherlands. The initial years in the Netherlands were hard. Tielman called their first boarding house "really sad" and said music was the only thing that kept them going. When he and his brothers first went into a music shop to replace his busted guitar, the owner forbid him to touch anything, until Tielman actually played a guitar and the owners family came down to the shop to listen. The brothers played some rocking Elvis tunes, after which Tielman got his guitar at a discount and with only a small downpayment.[10]
After getting geared up Tielman and his brothers started playing gigs in a hotel for only 2,50 guilders a week. Slowly their raw and spectacular Rock and Roll performances were getting a hardcore fanbase among the rebelious youth, along with the associated bad press. While Dutch youngsters and musicians were in awe[11], conservative Dutch establishment shot them down. On national radio and television influential opinion makers like Mies Bouwman and Willem Duys criticised and dismissed the brothers music.[12]
After a dazzling show at the World Exhibition in Brussels, Belgium in 1958 his band the ‘Tielman Brothers’ was signed to record the first Dutch rock 'n' roll single named: ‘Rock Little Baby Of Mine’. The bands flamboyant showmanship, acrobatic stage antics and rowdy sound were unseen and unheard of in Netherlands and the band soon moved their show abroad.[6] Andy Tielman recalls: "In the Netherlands we did not feel accepted. It seemed like Rock and Roll was forbidden here. On television we were totally torn apart publicly [...]. They [even] called us music rapists."[7]
In Germany the band enjoyed huge popularity and even recorded songs in the German language.[8] Particularly in Hamburg, with its big live music scene and large number of American GI’s, Indorock bands played many live venues in the famous Reeperbahn area. Andy Tielman made an impression on both the German and British musicians playing there. In a later interview with Rolling Stone magazine George Harrison (The Beatles) reflects on his Hamburg period, enthousiastically referring to “Andy, the Indo man”. Andy Tielman and his band enjoy a successful musical career throughout Europe until the emergence of British Beat music headed by The Beatles.[9]
“[...]the Tielman Brothers stole the show with their wild rock'n'roll songs and acrobatic antics. They tossed guitars across stage, played the guitar and bass with their toes and teeth, and played their instruments behind their heads and upside down. Popular everywhere in Europe, they developed a particularly enthusiastic following in Hamburg, Germany where they may have been an important early influence on the Beatles.” George Lipsitz in his book ‘Dangerous Crossroads’ (San Diego, 1998)
Asia Pacific
Along with his immense success Andy Tielman also experienced the shadow side of his huge popularity. In a Dutch television interview he hesitantly recalls incidents of extreme idolisation where women cut their wrists in front of the stage to get his attention. “That’s nothing to be proud of. [...] It’s just very, very sad. [...] I just could not stand it anymore. [...] Maybe the Beatles could deal with that kind of thing. Not me.”[10]
In the late 70’s he abruptly ended his music career, left his family and all his worldly belongings and wealth behind him, to live as a hermit in the jungles of Kalimantan among the Dayak people. “The Dayak hunted monkeys for food. I just hunted wild chicken.”, he recalls. For over 2 years Andy Tielman lived a low profile and rudimental life of meditation until a resolute and resourceful female fan tracked him down in the Bali backwoods. For over a year the young German woman, who would become his wife, stayed with him there until he decided to return to the ‘civilised’ world and slowly resume his career.[11]
Andy Tielman moved to Australia and lived there for 5 years. In the 80’s he toured Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. Summers he would return to the Netherlands where he gradually picked up his recording career again. After the influential book 'Rockin Ramona' was published in 1989 the Netherlands was re-discovering and rehabilitating its musical pioneers and Andy Tielman was getting more and more recognition as a founding father of Dutch pop music.[12]
Netherlands
Tielman eventually returned to the Netherlands. In 1990 he played a reunion concert with the Tielman Brothers.[13] The same year he releases his solo album ‘Now And Forever’, followed in 1994 and 1995 by tours to the Caribbean islands and North America. In 1997 he released the album ‘Loraine Jane’, named after his daughter.[14] That year he also headlined a festival commemorating Elvis Presley in the 'Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre'.[15]
In 1998 the album ‘Loraine Jane’ was presented at the Pasar Malam Besar in the Hague. October 31, 1998 Tielman celebrates his 50th anniversary as an artist with a grand show at ‘The Hague Houtrusthallen’, performing for close to 2,000 fans.[16] Leading up to this anniversary Andy Tielman was getting much publicity in the Dutch media. In a key news programme on national television established Dutch artists like Herman Brood and Wally Tax expressed their admiration for his musical legacy.[17] In 1999 Andy Tielman toured the USA.[18]
In 2003 Andy Tielman recorded a new album in Amsterdam. In 2004 he recorded a live DVD at the Kurhaus in Scheveningen called ‘It's My Life’. In 2005 the DVD is officially presented at the Pasar Malam Besar in The Hague.
In 2005 Andy Tielman was also rewarded a royal decoration in the Order of Orange-Nassau.[19] Following the Tsunami Andy Tielman made a special appearance at the Dutch national benefit for the Tsunami victims. Together with 2 other internationally known Indo artists Dinand Woesthoff (leadsinger of the band Kane) and René van Barneveld (former lead guitarist of the band Urban Dance Squad) he performed the traditional Indonesian songs ‘Rayuan Palau Kelapa’ and Ole sio sayang e.[20]
Andy Tielman, age 71, with Chris Latul in 2007. In 2007 Andy Tielman played with Chris Latul (former lead guitarist of the Massada (band)) in Utrecht celebrating the 60'th anniversary of the Pelita Foundation, the longest running social service organisation for Dutch Indos.[21]
2008 marked the 50’th anniversary of the single ‘Rock Little Baby Of Mine’ celebrated by the ‘Foundation 50 Years Nederpop’ in Groningen during a weekend long festival launching the canon of Dutch pop music. October 3 he performed at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam during ‘Nederpop Live 50 Years’ festival along over thirty other artists and bands representing fifty years of Dutch pop history.
In 2008 Andy Tielman headlined the national May 5 Liberation Day celebrations in The Hague. With the new Indorock band ‘Tjendol Sunrise’ Andy Tielman recorded the album ‘21st Century Rock’. The anniversary album includes new versions of hits from the Tielman Brothers, a few new songs as well as an update of the song that started Dutch Rock and Roll: ‘Rock Little Baby Of Mine’. At the Tong Tong Fair they teamed up with master guitarist Jan Akkerman for a one off concert.[22]
In the autumn of 2009 Andy Tielman canceled a scheduled tour when he was diagnosed with cancer. In November he was operated and the singer made his comeback on December 19 already with a short performance in Drachten.[23]
In March 2010 Andy Tielman returned to the stage with a grand show at the 'Benidorm Palace' in Spain. On this special occasion accompanied by amongst others support act Riem de Wolff,[24] singer of the equally famous Blue Diamonds.[25]
"Everything around you is subject to decay, but the music never dies." Andy Tielman, 1998.[26]
Jan Akkerman wrote this on is FB wall page:
"My good friend and teacher in my younger yrs was Andy Tielman. Andy just died at the age of 75. He inspired me in many ways, long bfore Hendrix,Beatles or.... but even more by using the Les Paul the way he does. Andy R.I.P. Jan"
Family
Father: Herman Dirk Tielman (born 02-09-1904,Menado or Kupang; died 14-05-1979, The Hague), mother: Flora Laurentine Hess (born 24-04-1901 Madiun; died: 27-07-1991 Purworejo). Siblings: Reggy (Regginald) (born 22-05-1933, Surabaya ); Phonton (born 04-08-1934, died 29-04-2000 Jemper); Loulou (Lawrence) (born 30-10-1938, Surabaya; died 04-08-1994 Cairus, Australia) Jane (Janette Loraine) (born 17-08-1940; died 25-06-1993). Andy Tielman is married to German born Carmen Tielman and has 1 daughter Loraine Jane, named after his younger sister.
Line up
The Timor Rhythm Brothers (1945–1957)
Reggy Tielman (banjo, guitar, vocal)- Surabaya, 20 May 1933
Ponthon Tielman (double bass, guitar, vocal)- 4 August 1934 - 29 April 2000
Andy Tielman (guitar, vocal)– 30 May 1936
Loulou Tielman (Herman Lawrence)(drum, vocal)– 30 October 1938 - 4 August 1994
Jane Tielman (Janette Loraine)(vocal)- 17 August 1940 - 25 juni 1993.
The Four Tielman Brothers - The 4 T's (1957–1959)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, vocal)
Ponthon Tielman (double bass, vocal)
Loulou Tielman (drums, vocal).
The Tielman Brothers (1960–1963)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, vocal)
Franky Luyten (rhythm guitar, vocal)
Ponthon Tielman (bass guitar, 6 string bass, vocal)
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal)
The Tielman Brothers (1963–1964)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Alphonse Faverey (lead guitar) ex-stringers to The Four Beat Breakers > The Time Breakers
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, 6 string bass, vocal)
Franky Luyten (rhythm guitar, vocal) to The Four Beat Breakers > The Time Breakers
Ponthon Tielman (bass guitar, 6 string bass, vocal)to Tielman Royal; afterwards back to Indonesia
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal)
Jane Tielman (vocal)
The Tielman Brothers (1964–1969)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, 6 string bass,vocal)
Robby Latuperisa (bass, guitar, 6 string bass)
Hans Bax (rhythm guitar, vocal)
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal)
Jane Tielman (vocal)
Andy Tielman and his Indonesians (1969-1971)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, 6 string bass, vocal)
Rob Latuperisa (bass guitar, 6 string bass)
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal)
Benny Heynen (tenor saxophone, rhythm guitar)
Maurice de la Croix (bariton/tenor saxophone)
Leo Masengi (tenor saxophone, rhythm guitar)ex-The High Five
Jane Tielman (vocal)
Ilse Uchtman (vocal)
Andy Tielman & The Tielman Brothers (1975–1981)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, rhythm guitar)
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal).
Rob Latuperisa (bass guitar)
Maurice de la Croix (bariton/tenor saxophone)
Leo Masengi (alt/tenor saxophone, rhythm guitar)
Benny Heynen (tenor saxophone, clarinet, guitar)
Bibliography
- Ballemaker, Harry, Tielman, A. Andy Tieleman, that's my life (Publisher: Artemis, 2006)
- Thomassen, Jean ‘Muziek van de Duivel’ (Publisher: Aspect, 2009) ISBN 9059117085
- Mutsaers, Lutgard ‘Rockin' Ramona’ (Publisher: SDU, The Hague 1989)
- ^ Mutsaers, Lutgard ‘Rockin' Ramona’ (Publisher: SDU, The Hague 1989)
- ^ Interview with Andy Tielman by Rob Musters in BN/De Stem, 14 October 1998.[1]
- ^Tielman Brothers webpage.
- ^ Meijer, Hans In Indië geworteld. De 20ste eeuw. (Publisher Bert Bakker, Amsterdam, 2004) P.331-371 ISBN 9035126173
- ^Tielman Brothers webpage.
- ^Music Encyclopedia – Netherlands Center of Music (NCM)
- ^ Interview with Andy Tielman by Rob Musters in BN/De Stem, 14 October 1998.[2]
- ^Andy Tielman singing German language song 'Wanderer Ohne Ziel' on German national television.
- ^Music Encyclopedia – Netherlands Center of Music (NCM)
- ^Sonja Barend tv interview.
- ^Sonja Barend tv interview.
- ^ Mutsaers, Lutgard ‘Rockin' Ramona’ (Publisher: SDU, The Hague 1989)
- ^Andy Tielman at 'The Tielman Brothers Reunion' in 1990.
- ^Andy Tielman performing the ballad 'Loraine Jane' (his ode to his daughter) live on Dutch television, 1997.
- ^ Interview with Andy Tielman by Rob Musters in BN/De Stem, 14 October 1998.[3]
- ^Music Encyclopedia – Netherlands Center of Music (NCM)
- ^ Newspaper article by Tom van Rijswijk in the 'Haagsche Courant', 3 November 1998.[4]
- ^ Interview with Andy Tielman by Rob Musters in BN/De Stem, 14 October 1998.[5]
- ^Music Encyclopedia – Netherlands Center of Music (NCM)
- ^Live video footage Tsunami Benefit performance 06 Jan 2005, at the Dam, Amsterdam.
- ^Live video footage Pelita Foundation Jubilee (November 2007), including Andy Tielman's performance of the song 'Sayang E'.
- ^Andy Tielman & Jan Akkerman live in concert at the Tong Tong Fair, 2008.
- ^Music Encyclopedia – Netherlands Center of Music (NCM)
- ^Official 'Blue Diamonds' website.
- ^Online news article. Retrieved 02 December 2010.
- ^ Interview with Andy Tielman by Henk Langerak in newspaper 'Algemeen Dagbad', 29 October 1998.