Normaal
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Bennie Jolink |
| Headquarters | Netherlands |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Normaal () is a rock ensemble originating from the Dutch region of Achterhoek, performing in Achterhooks, a regional Low Saxon dialect. Established in 1975 by arts student Bennie Jolink as a counter-movement to disco, glamrock, and the Dutch cultural elitism toward Low Saxon speakers, the group prioritized singing in their native tongue instead of English. The name "Normaal" translates to "normal," embodying their philosophy of "behaving normally." They gained nationwide recognition, securing more top 40 hits on the Dutch charts than any other domestic band, although they never attained the number one spot. Their musical approach is best characterized as "heavy country rock," comparable to a livelier version of ZZ Top or Status Quo.
In 2019, their track "De boer dat is de keerl" ("The Farmer, that is the man") climbed to number 9 on the annual Top 2000 list after a viral movement opposing tougher nitrogen emission regulations affecting farmers. The Top 2000 is a prominent year-end music countdown in the Netherlands attracting millions of listeners. Typically, their most consistently ranked song is "Oerend hard", which has featured every year since 1999, with rankings ranging from 82 in 2005 to 371 in 2023.
History
The band was formed in 1974 by guitarist and lead singer Bennie Jolink alongside drummer Jan Manschot. Normaal developed a dedicated fan community known as 'anhangers' or 'høkers,' many of whom followed their tours extensively. Their live performances traditionally took place in large rural tents, fostering an atmosphere centered around celebration and alcohol consumption—a practice they called 'høken.' This term, popularized through their music and titles, has entered local speech and is officially listed in the Van Dale Dutch dictionary.
Their breakthrough single was "Oerend Hard" ("Bloody Fast"), narrating the story of two motorcyclists who crash yet persist in riding "oerend hard," symbolizing defiant spirit. Several members of the band have suffered serious motorcycle accidents themselves.
In September 2006, Normaal released Hier is Normaal ("Here is Normaal") and subsequently embarked on two environmentally conscious concert tours. The energy used during all 44 shows was compensated for by investments in renewable energy initiatives in India, making Normaal the first Dutch band to openly address global climate change concerns.
In October 2007, with assistance from dairy farmer Ben Van Haastert, two successful concerts allowed Normaal to contribute $11,000 to the Woodstock General Hospital Foundation in Ontario, Canada.
Founding member Jan Manschot passed away in January 2014.
Normaal concluded their final performances in 2015. Bennie Jolink continued performing with De Pensionado's until his retirement in 2016 but has made occasional appearances since then.
In 2018, surviving founding members along with Manschot's widow unveiled a statue in Hummelo commemorating an early photograph of the band.
Normaal reunited for two concerts in 2019.
Band members
- Current members
- Bennie Jolink - guitars, percussion, lead vocals (1974-2015, 2018-present)
- Ferdi Joly - vocals, guitars, saxophone, clarinet, harmonica (1974-1980, 2003-2015, 2018-present)
- Willem Terhorst - bass guitar, vocals (1975-2015, 2018-present)
- Timo Kelder - drums, vocals (2013-2015, 2018-present)
- Current touring members
- Roel Spanjers - keyboards, accordion, piano, vocals (2003-2015, 2018-present)
- Jan Wilm Tolkamp - guitars, vocals (2006-2015, 2018-present)
- Joppe Bestevaar - saxophone (2024-present)
- Former members
- Jan Manschot - drums, percussion, vocals (1974-1989; occasional guest appearances 1989-2013; died 2014)
- Willem van Dijk – bass guitar, vocals (1974-1975)
- Jan Kolkman - guitar, vocals, accordion, saxophone (1975, 1994-2003)
- Alan Gascoigne - guitar (1980-1983, 2000-2003)
- Paul Kemper - guitar, backing vocals (1983-2000)
- Fokke de Jong - drums, vocals (1989-2003, 2005-2013)
- Former touring members
- Nico Groen - drums (1985)
- Willem Duyn - lead vocals (substituting for Bennie Jolink after motorcycle accident) (1992)
- Robert Colenbrander - guitar, backing vocals, accordion (1992-1993)
- Jan de Ligt - saxophone (2003-2015, 2018-2024; deceased)
- Tessa Boomkamp - drums, vocals (2003-2005)
- Arend Bouwmeester - saxophone (2003)
- Joost Hagen - trumpet (2007-2009)
Studio albums
- Oerend Hard (1977)
- Ojadasawa (1978)
- D'n Achterhoek Tsjoek (1979)
- Høken Is Normaal (1980)
- Deurdonderen (1982)
- De Boer Is Troef (1983)
- De Klok Op Rock (1984)
- Steen Stoal En Sentiment (1985)
- Zo Kommen Wi-j De Winter Deur (1985)
- Kiek Uut (1986)
- Noar 'T Café (1987)
- Da's Normaal (1988)
- Rechttoe Rechtan (1989)
- H.A.L.V.U. (1991)
- Buugen Of Barsten (1992)
- Gas D'r Bi-j (1994)
- Top of the Bult (1996)
- Krachttoer (1997)
- Høken, Kreng (1998)
- Effe Zitten (2000)
- Van Tied Tut Tied (2000)
- Ik Kom Altied Weer Terug (2001)
- Høk & Swing (2003)
- Fonkel (2004)
- Hier Is Normaal (2006)
- Ni-je NRS (2008)
- De Blues eLPee (2009)
- Halve Soul, Helemoal Høken (2012)
- 40 Joar Høken (2015)
- Normale Verhale (2021)
- Nøhlen (2024)
Live albums
- Springleavend (1981)
- Normalis Jubilaris (1990)
- Bi-j Normaal Thuus (1993)
- Kriebel In De Konte (1998)
- Vernemstig Te Passe (2003)
- Live - De VPRO sessies (2009)
- Høken In Hummelo - 35 Joar Normaal (2011)
- De Wilde Joaren (2013)
- Ajuu De Mazzel!’’ (2016)
Compilations
- ’’Stark Wark 1980-1983’’ (1983)
- ’’12½ Jaar’’ (1988)
- ’’Het Beste Van Normaal’’ (1992)
- ’’Hits Van Normaal’’ (1994)
- ’’Deur De Joaren Hen’’ (1997)
- ’’Onwijs Høken 20 Jaar Hits’’ (1997)
- ’’100 x Normaal’’ (2007)