URIAH HEEP IN
THE NETHERLANDS
Helmond december 22 2001 The Pictures
Reviews - tRANSLATED BY mONIQUE sPRUIT
© Ruud Verhalle
Heepsters at the 'Heep in'!
Rock Report Magazine Gig Review Here new
Helmond,
Holland December 22, 2001
Thanks to Gerrit de Geus for sending the article.
Following
in the footsteps of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, Uriah Heep did quite well in
the seventies with some good albums and wild rock ‘n’ roll happenings. The
latter took its toll: 2 original Heep members died.
But the
fans from those days aren’t frightened by such ‘details’. OJC Plato was
filled up to the max by ‘elderly youngsters’. That is the place where Heep
performed that night. The present line-up has to do without their legendary
frontman David Byron who passed away in 1985 and without musical leader Ken
Hensley who wears ties these days and who does something for an important
chain of music stores. Present are guitarist Mick Box and drummer Lee Kerslake
from the most successful era of their existence and ex-Bowie bass player
Trevor Bolder who joined the band back in the mid seventies. They are helped
by singer Bernie Shaw and keyboards player Phil Lanzon. You may have second
thoughts when you hear from this current line-up but groups like Pink Floyd
and Supertramp still fill stadiums without the driving forces that were once
responsible for their music. Yet, this is no ennobled cover band playing here,
these are veterans who know the ropes. That is why they are a solid as a rock
right from the start with the opener Return to Fantasy. Remarkable is the
volume, which is very subdued for such a heavy band. Then you suddenly
aren’t surprised when you see an older headbanger with a hearing aid. The
five veterans deliver their show with youthful enthusiasm, which creates a
party mood in no time. Singer Bernie Shaw may lack the charisma and the
glass-breaking falsetto of the original frontman David Byron, he is the
typical macho rock singer that fits a band like this one. Nice are the
true-bred style elements from the seventies like endless solos, so that songs
can last up to 15 minutes. Unfortunately Uriah Heep have been popular in their
declining years with our eastern neighbours and the set list contains songs
focussed on that – this tour still leads them to Germany – as well as
newer songs. Definitely other material than the songs made when Ken Hensley
was in charge.
OLD SMASH
HITS
Good that
Mick Box and co still have musical aspirations, but you wonder if the fans are
waiting for that. Most are here to take a step back in time, which is clear
when old smash hits like “Sunrise” and “Look at Yourself” are played.
It leads to an enthusiastic response and the mood in the venue is lifted.
Rightfully so, because you do feel young when songs like “The Magician’s
Birthday” thunder along. Bands like this aren’t taken seriously by the
rock world, simply because they only echo the memory from the past. But that
is also the thing that attracts the people present. They feel like they’re
at this school party, where this music was played on an old stereo. That is
the magic of golden oldies bands. A kind of magic you don’t experience every
day.
Report
by Peter Borgers (Eindovens Dagblad) – local Dutch newspaper
Just
something on the Helmond show, it was far out after having seen the band in
Ahoy’ in 1976. This time with two friends in the cosy Plato venue. I have
the CD’s, they’re great but it was time to see them live. Well, I can tell
you that the three of us have seen a super show and we still talk about this
event on a daily basis. The Heep In was great too and I am even in a picture
together with Bernie. We can’t wait until another concert in Holland and
we’ll definitely be there!
Henk
van Houwelingen
Fan who
still has the first 6 albums from the 70s and who was in Hardenberg on
Saturday. I couldn’t believe my eyes, what enthusiasm, atmosphere, class,
charisma, spirit, a delightful concert, enjoyed myself tremendously, I can’t
wait to see them again.
Erik
Wilden Borg
I enjoyed
Uriah Heep tremendously in spite of the fact that I didn’t know them well
but that is sure to change after this concert!
Cor
Koolen
The
concert in Hardenberg was very surprising with old songs that we didn’t
expect to hear. Too bad that the last part of the show, from Gypsy and
onwards, is so predictable. Still well worth it.
Ruud
Rijks
Hi Louis, I’ve been panting since last Saturday. The past two years I’ve managed to see the band four times and each time I think that it can’t be beaten but what happened in Helmond was the superlative one can imagine. After a one-and-a-half hour journey with a true snowstorm I arrived at the Plato and my ticket to the Heep In as well as the concert were right there (thanks for the service). It was a perfect warming up, a nice pint and chatting to like-minded people and on top a cool auction (unfortunately no prize). After that some nice eating out and the support act. I go to concerts rather frequently and most of the time support acts aren’t worth listening to, but this time I really enjoyed it! There was even a moment that I simply felt as if I was elsewhere, very magical. Then Heep. I am lost for words about that, I don’t think any concert can top this. The atmosphere that evening, with the extras like Thijs van leer’s performance and a very full stage at the end, I’ll never forget this. Next time in May I’ll be there and I hope Heep will last many years to come, if necessary until 2040 when I will be at the front again with my fellow retired homies waving our walkers!
Ron
van Schayk
Heep, my
Heep!
It was a
memorable day, that day some 3 years ago in Rijssen. That is where it all
started.
In my home
town I noticed a poster announcing a Uriah Heep concert. I saw them with
Hensley in Jaap Edenhal in Amsterdam in 1976 and after Hensley’s departure I
lost track. Saving all the albums, but no longer playing them. Once I bought a
Best Of album. And now? Live in Rijssen? Well, let’s have a look on the
Internet U.r.i.a….What, that many sites on Uriah Heep? Still alive and
rockin’?
To cut a
long story short, that’s how I got in touch with Louis and it wouldn’t be
my last activity either!
2001 was
great Heep year. I chose to go to the Heep concert in Tilburg, the “in-store
concert” and together with Evert I had been at the record fair to promote
Heep. That worked out fine and we sold well. December 2001: The London
Shepherds Bush. Because of the costs a no go and instead a holiday to the
Canary Islands. Daddy has such expensive hobbies as it is…
But, two
concerts just prior to Christmas, that was a possibility. First Hardenberg!
Close to home and this time my daughter Tamara came along, although it would
be a long evening. Fortunately she quickly became friends with Dave Owen and
Louis, Marcel and Hilde so this young Heep fan entertained herself. When Heep
hit the stage it was even better. During “our song” (July Morning), she
was still on the balcony, but during the encore (Lady in Black) she was on my
shoulders. MY shoulders, the ones of a proud dad. Bernie looked at her and
smiled and Phil gave her the thumbs up: he was her hero.
After a
fairly short night, through the snow on our way to Eindhoven. To Louis’
question whether I wanted to drive Trevor to the airport Schiphol the
following morning I had said yes. Therefore staying the night near Helmond was
needed. It turned out to be the hotel where Heep stayed as well.
After
arriving at the hotel I checked whether the band did stay at the hotel. The
receptionist said no which was a disappointment, no matter how nicely she said
it. Up to my room where I ran into the man of “roomservice”. He knocked on
door 208 and the door of room 210 opened up. And there he was: Lee Kerslake!
So the band were there. “Hi Lee” was all I could say to this sleepy head.
On to the
bar where I hoped to meet some familiar faces. I saw Dave Owen at the
computer, I recognised him from the night before. We talked about Heep, E-bay
and more. I introduced myself as the driver of Trevor for the next morning and
then we talked more. About Heep, the members, Mostly Autumn etc. Then Dave
asked me whether it was necessary for me to go to the concert that night by my
own car…. Would I like to join the mini-van and drive the band back to the
hotel after the show that evening? What a question! I only had to promise not
to drink too much beer that night. No problem, I felt honoured!
In the van
to the venue filled up with emotions. It was obvious that the boys were fed up
with living in and out of hotels. Getting some petrol on the way and
sandwiches for Phil and Trevor. Bernie was bored.
The
concert was great, just like in Hardenberg. Perhaps a little less intimate due
to the venue, but still great. Also Mostly Autumn did a great job. I had taken
along an acquaintance from Eindhoven who had seen Heep twice before in the
seventies. He was very impressed. I drove the band from Helmond to Eindhoven
(except Lee who drove along with Dave and Mostly Autumn in the bigger bus). It
was a van with automatic transmission which was something I wasn’t used to:
how to get the darn’ thing in ‘drive”??! Bernie, familiar with these
vehicles helped me out. I was ashamed! Fortunately someone escorted me to the
hotel. The band were pretty tired and therefore quiet. They wanted to go to
sleep and it was still a bit of a drive to the hotel. Bernie told me he was
always very tired after a concert. Also the cold floating in can do his voice
damage.
Very quiet
it was in the van, they were truly tired. After 30-45 minutes through the
freezing cold we arrived at the hotel. Having said goodbye to Bernie and Phil
I took the elevator together with Mick and Trev (yes, it’s Trev by now!).
First get the wake-up service activated. Trevor slept in the smokers’
section, Mick and I were in the non-smokers’ section of the hotel. After a
short talk to Mick I hit my bed at 3am for a short nap. At 5am up woken up by
wake-up service and Trev was downstairs fast, a cup of coffee, sandwiches for
on the way and clearing the car from snow. I was still worried that the car
wouldn’t start due to the cold. No problem… good car! Leaving the ever so
slippery parking and delivering Trev at Schiphol airport at 7am.
We talked
a lot on the way there (good for my English, you have to think in English and
after a while you really get into it). Notwithstanding our lack of sleep we
were both sharp (of course I hadn’t been drinking the night before,
imagine!) and we talked about anything: personal matters, bikes, families,
David Bowie, homesickness, the new CD and so on. Before realising so, we
arrived at Schiphol and Trev left.
Trev may
come across as being aloof but he simply is a nice man. His thoughts are often
with his family. He sees his 7-year-old son so little that he sometimes finds
it difficult to go on tour. He misses him tremendously. He wants to use the
time he has with him. After that it will be writing songs for the new album,
getting into the studio and then touring again to promote the new album.
It got
crystal clear to me that the life of an average rock star is no bed of roses.
Being homesick or being bored can be lethal! So, if a band don’t feel like
meeting fans, it can be quite legitimate. I had a very short night but it was
well worth it. Being very close to Heep was a marvellous experience.
Everything was so well organised too: the hotel, meeting up with Dave and the
band, I wouldn’t want to have missed this!
Special
thanks to Louis, Dave and especially Trevor who turned out to be so nice, just
like Bernie, Mick, Lee and Phil. It turned into a great weekend and I no
longer feel sorry for having missed London. The Canary Islands I am still
owing! By the way, do you happen to know who has a country house there?
Kees
Stroo Cloeck
My wife
and I have been familiar with the phenomenon Uriah Heep since 1970, what
musicians! Our collection of albums kept growing over the years. Unfortunately
our taste in music and Uriah Heep drifted apart. That is the reason why we
lost track of the band between the mid 80s and 2001, altogether for nearly 15
years. After many Heepless years we widened our knowledge concerning this
great band. Unfortunately… we should have done so many years ago! Louis,
your site has helped us a great deal. After seeing and listening to the Heep
DVD’s we knew it for a fact: we had to see this band in concert again! Due
to the announcement of the Heep In the choice became simple: Helmond it would
be! After a drink and an “oliebol” (typical Dutch food eaten on New
Year’s Eve), watching and buying some Heep items, the first surprise was
there: an auction. Louis, had I told you yet that you have won a great jacket?
To our surprise our number was drawn from the magician’s hat from the
greatest Heep fan on earth. Worth a DVD! Shortly after this Mick, Bernie and
Phil entered the room. After auctioning more great prizes it was time for
taking photos as well as getting autographs. Needless to say that our brand
new acquired DVD was autographed. Too bad that Trevor and Lee were still sound
checking, perhaps I can get their autographs a next time.
After a
bite in Helmond it was time for THE gig. When we entered the venue Mostly
Autumn was already on stage. We were pleasantly surprised by them. The
highlight that night didn’t start till 10.20pm that evening when Return To
Fantasy burst into our willing ears. No fantasy but pure pleasure, also when
all the other songs passed by, just fabulous. Too bad that The Magician’s
Birthday was played just a few minutes prior to midnight. A couple of minutes
later and my birthday (December 23) would have started in a great way,
nevertheless this was also a great way to get a year older! After the
beautiful lady In Black (with Thijs van Leer and Mostly Autumn) we drove back
through the night, back to Ede. I was a year older but felt 30 years younger.
Should
people read this and hesitate whether to go to a show or not: grab the
opportunity, go as soon as they play in Holland again and we’ll surely meet!
Keep on
Heepin everyone and a Heepful New Year!
John
and Ria Moerbeek
What a
show in Helmond last night! I haven’t seen such a perfect show by Heep for a
long time! The last time I saw Uriah Heep was in Tilburg .. and this time with
a smashing new set of songs, far out!!! And all of this in the town where I
live, is there anything greater for a long-time Heep fan than that? I don’t
think so!
(fan since 1973) I went completely wild and that when I’m always on mineral water only! The man standing next to me was apparently thinking: at that age, jumping around like a maniac, dancing and singing each and every word along??? Well, singing….it was more like shouting but who cares? The time I met Mick (Friesland 1987) is something I’ll never forget, such a sweet man! Next year I hope to see another concert by them (at least one, more is better) somewhere.
Report
by Hannie Verberne – Helmond
Thanks for the journal, a beautiful magazine. Good to read that Heep is still fully in the spotlight. Last Saturday I went to their concert in Helmond. Great! That goes for the support act Mostly Autumn as well as Uriah Heep. A chance to get completely out of control. I have been a fan since the early 70s and have almost all their albums, apart from spme “Best Of” versions. I think I can call myself a true Heep fan, as a matter of fact my eldest daughter is called Joeraya. Do I need to say more? Keep on rocking.
Arie
Jansen
Last Saturday night I went to Plato together with my son Kay. A fantastic concert! It turned out to be a special evening for Kay (aged 11); it was his first ever Heep show and he was allowed to watch it all from the side of the stage. The picture made by your brother is now the wallpaper of our PC. I hope I’ll be able to go to many more Heep concerts together with Kay. I got in touch with Uriah Heep’s music back in 1973 after a schoolmate came back from his birth town Amsterdam with the Live 1973 album. Sold! I saw Uriah heep several times, on Pinkpop in 1976, after that in Amsterdam, Raalte etc. I kept track of the band up until Abominog was released in 1982, after which I lost interest because I got into different types of music (shame on me!). Since last year (2000) I have access to the Internet and when finding Uriah heep sites I got vividly interested again! I subscribed on the Acoustically Driven project as a Gold subscriber After receiving the DVD and CD, my enthusiasm only grew. In May 2001 I had the chance to see the band live in Zaandam and I couldn’t believe my ears, what a super band, how incredible that I lost touch with them those years! Now I try to persuade people to listen to their music and successfully I may add. We went off to the Helmond show in 2 cars loaded with Heep fans and with Heep CD’s on the car stereo at max volume, great.
Albert
Vos
Through
snow and rain from Bodegraven to the mound of hell and there we could have a
good time! I had only seen them for four times in the seventies and after
seeing the band Mostly Autumn, nice band by the way, the adrenaline rushed
through both my and my brother Andre’s veins; after all Andre’s first
album had been “Look At Yourself”. The songs were put on with a perfect
drive and Bernie was a revelation to me. Especially during Gypsy and bird Of
Prey I spontaneously started to pogo and bumped into a lady at an unfavourable
spot but even she kept smiling.
Flabbergasted is the right word for this Heep happening with this bunch of happy people. Where we were standing was near the biggest Heep fans I’ve ever come across and at times that blocked my vision. In May we’ll be there again. Wonderful to be young again, everlasting and with that I refer to the music and the band. I’ve just read in the latest Aloha that the first two albums have been released on CD in cardboard boxes ( a sure buy) and it is written that this is good innovative symphonic rock. Well, all I can say is leave those boring, static bands on other stages for what they are as Heep can do both: writing good songs and making you rock till your knees hurt. That there were people who didn’t move in Helmond is a mystery to me. Greetings to Louis, from a Uriah heep and Troggs fan.
Piet
de Rooy