Illusion - a BZN Tribute

4+ (group) performers

Indoor and outdoor

Band

2 hours

Podium must be at least 12 meters wide a

NL, EN

Experience the magic of BZN all over again with ILLUSION!
ILLUSION brings the timeless music of BZN to life with an authentic sound, sparkling energy and an unforgettable atmosphere.
Our passion is to take the audience on a musical journey full of recognition, fun and emotion.
Whether it's an intimate party, a vibrant festival or a grand event - we provide a performance that stays with everyone.

authentic BZN sound
professional musicians
perfect for every event ✨
✨ An evening full of nostalgia and fun

1966 A group of friends from Volendam gets the idea in 1966 to start a rock 'n' roll band, which did not yet have a name.
In the beginning, the repertoire consists mainly of covers of Cliff Richard and The Shadows, led by solo guitarist Cees Tol.
This hobby slowly grew into an increasingly serious occupation, and the first own compositions were also released, mainly hard rock songs.
Only for the name was still undecided, and when they were also mentioned in the newspaper as "the band without a name" they decided not to look any further for a name and so the abbreviation BZN was born.

1976 Despite several Top 40 listings, after 10 years it seems that the end of the band is in sight.
As bassist Jan Tuyp once told himself, to indicate how badly things were going on the earnings front:
"The mice were lying dead in front of the closet!"
And suddenly, through a confluence of circumstances, light comes back to the end of the tunnel when Jan Keizer trades the drumsticks for the microphone, and the band decides to take a completely different musical path.
With Jack Veerman on drums and the recruitment of a singer, the composition Mon Amour, written by Thomas Tol, turns out to be a hit; it is a direct No. 1 hit!
In the years that followed one Top 40 hit after another followed by gold and platinum records flying around the ears of the band members.
Annie proved to be a real asset to the band and her voice contributed to the typical sound.
The repertoire was adapted accordingly from then on, as were the many French songs that followed.
For a short while there were fears for the band's continued existence when Annie Schilder decided to quit as a singer in 1984 and choose for her family.
The young Carola Smit took over the role of singer and after her TV debut in the Ted de Braak Show with the song "If I say the words"-which had been secretly recorded long before-the ice was immediately broken and Carola was fully embraced by the fans and the public.
She was part of the band right up to the very last farewell concert in 2007.
It also struck terror into the band members when Carola suffered a brain attack, but after several months of rehabilitation she recovered from this and was back on stage.

1986 On the occasion of their 20th anniversary, an anniversary performance was given in 1986 in Volendam before an audience of 40,000 spectators and this historic performance was recorded on Double Elpee and CD.

Just a few years later, Hennie & Jane got to know each other by singing BZN songs during jam sessions in Hennie's parents' café.
And during all those years that they have been together and played in different bands, the music of BZN, especially the songs of this live CD, has always been a thread that runs through their lives.
That is why they have now grasped the plan to perform this show with local musicians.
Driven by enthusiasm, they finally succeeded in this challenge with Hennie taking on the role of Jan Keizer and Jane taking on the role of front singer Annie Schilder/Carola Smit.

The backing band consists of: Aldwin van der Voort (drums, backing vocals), Guus Mul (bass guitar, backing vocals), Harrie van de Oetelaar (solo guitar), Ben Rutjes (keyboards and accordion), Henri van der Helm (piano and synthesizer) and John Lubbers (acoustic guitar, percussion and backing vocals).

For the fans who did not get to see this anniversary concert of BZN in 1986 live, don't worry!
With Illusion - a BZN Tribute, we will do our utmost to match this show and treat the audience to an unforgettable performance, where you can sing and dance along !
Besides of course "MON AMOUR" all the big hits such as "PEARLYDUMM", "ROCKIN' THE TROLLS", "JUST AN ILLUSION", "WALTZING MARIA", "LA FRANCE", "THE OLD CALAHAN" will all be played.
Of course, some hits from the 90's will also be featured such as "EL CORDOBES" and "WHEELS ON FIRE ", and we also take a jump back in time to how it all started in 1966 with the rock song "SWEET SILVER ANNIE".

Share this act