Diesel (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | October 1978 |
| Founder | Pim Koopman |
| Headquarters | Netherlands |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Diesel is a pop/rock ensemble from the Netherlands that gained international recognition when their track "Sausalito Summernight" entered the U.S. Top 40 charts in 1981.
Origin and history
The band Diesel was established in October 1978 by former Kayak drummer Pim Koopman. What began as a casual project included Koopman (handling drums, keyboards, and vocals), Rob Vunderink (guitar, lead vocals, songwriting, and lyrics), Mark Boon (guitar, songwriting, and lyrics), and Frank Papendrecht (bass; 1953–2009). Their first album, Watts in a Tank, debuted in the Netherlands in 1980. The single "Going Back to China" achieved local Top 40 status. Additionally, "Down In The Silvermine" and "Sausalito Summernight"—occasionally misspelled as "Sausolito Summernight"—also charted from this album.
By late 1980, Boon and Papendrecht departed to join Meike Touw's Tutti Frutti; their roles were filled by bassist Wijnand Ott and guitarist Hugo de Bruin. In mid-1981, Koopman exited the group, with Kim Weemhoff stepping in as drummer.
In 1981, Watts in a Tank was introduced to the U.S. market. The single "Sausalito Summernight" reached number 25 on the U.S. Top 40 and secured the top spot in Canada. The album itself peaked at number 68 on the Billboard 200 chart. This momentum led to Mark Boon's return and an ensuing American tour. Following Boon's recommendation, guitarist Bas Krumperman joined prior to the North American tour, steering the band's sound toward country rock influences. Diesel signed a distribution agreement with Atco Records and released Unleaded in 1982; however, it did not achieve comparable success.
Over subsequent years, Diesel experienced several lineup changes—including additions such as Leen Barbier (guitar/vocals), André Versluijs (bass), Jan Loomans (guitar/vocals), and Henk Hager (guitar/vocals)—and issued various singles before dissolving in 1985.
Reunions and subsequent activities
Diesel reunited in 1988 and scored a hit in the Netherlands with the single "Samantha," performed by Jeroen Englebert (not to be confused with the 1982 track of the same name on their Unleaded album). The group disbanded again in 1989.
Mark Boon went on to form The Zoo, releasing What's in the Package. Diesel reassembled in 2000 featuring Koopman, Vunderink, Versluijs, Thomas Kroon (drums), and Otto Lenselink (guitar). In 2001, they released Diesel On The Rocks, which included cover songs, earlier material, and three new compositions.
In 2002, a reissue of Watts in a Tank was released containing the original five-minute version of "Sausalito Summernight."
The original members—Boon, Koopman, Papendrecht, and Vunderink—performed together at a charity event in 2004, which sparked plans for a full reunion. Subsequently, Papendrecht was succeeded by Werner Cornand.
Tragically, both members of Diesel's founding rhythm section passed away due to heart attacks within one week: Frank Papendrecht died on 18 November 2009 at age 56, followed by Pim Koopman on 23 November 2009 at the same age.
In March 2017, Diesel—comprising surviving original members Vunderink and Boon alongside newer musicians—released the single "Like Hell I Will!"
Albums
| Year | Title | NL | US | CAN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Watts In A Tank | 38 | 68 | 19 |
| 1982 | Unleaded | — | — | — |
| 2001 | Diesel On The Rocks | — | — | — |
Year-end album charts
| Chart (1981) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Watts In A Tank) | 62 |
Singles
| Year | Song | CAN | NL | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | "Alibi" | — | — | — |
| "Goin' Back To China" | — | 34 | 105 | |
| 1980 | "Down In The Silvermine" | — | 16 | — |
| "Sausalito Summernight" | 1 | 33 | 25 | |
| 1982 | "Leader Of The Pacman" | — | — | — |
| 1984 | "Sound Of The 60's" | — | — | — |
| 1985 | "Stormy Waters" | — | — | — |
| 1988 | "Samantha" | — | 41 | — |
| 1989 | "Colorado" | — | — | — |
| 2017 | "Like Hell I Will!" | — | — | — |
External links
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- Dutch rock music groups
- Nederpop
- Musical groups established in 1978
- Musical groups disestablished in 1985
- Musical groups established in 1988
- Musical groups disestablished in 1989
- Musical groups established in 2004
- Musical groups disestablished in 2007
- Musical groups established in 2016