Survival (band)
| Company type | Band / Music project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Jack Langevelt |
| Defunct | 1997 (initial disbandment) |
| Fate | Continued as solo project by founder |
| Headquarters | Rotterdam , Netherlands |
Key people | Jack Langevelt, Inez van der Linden (manager from 2013) |
| Products | Progressive rock, Symphonic rock music albums |
Number of employees | 5 (current members listed) |
| Website | www |
Survival is a Dutch band/project specializing in progressive and Symphonic rock genres, established in 1981 by keyboardist and composer Jack Langevelt. Drawing inspiration from legendary groups such as Trace, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Ekseption, The Nice, Camel, Procol Harum, and Deep Purple, Survival’s music is characterized by intricate melodies, unconventional time signatures, and grand thematic elements. The band remained active from 1981 until 1997, after which Jack Langevelt continued creating music under the Survival banner.
Survival resurfaced in 2008 with the release of their debut official album, Crusader, issued through Musea Records. This instrumental work was composed, recorded, and produced by Langevelt himself, featuring guest guitar contributions from David Dexter and Mario Roelofsen, and it garnered favorable reviews from critics. By 2013, Survival had reorganized with fresh personnel and was managed by Inez van der Linden—renowned for her collaborations with Rick van der Linden, Ekseption, and Trace—alongside a new booking agency.
Born on August 5, 1954, in Rotterdam, Jack Langevelt cultivated an early admiration for classical composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Chopin. His keyboard focus—particularly on the Hammond organ and piano—was heavily influenced by Ekseption’s "Air" and the work of Rick van der Linden. After enrolling at the Rotterdam School of Arts in 1971 and initially pursuing a career as a drummer across various musical styles, Langevelt returned to keyboards in 1980 to establish Survival. Over the span of 1981 to 1997, he developed a distinctive fusion of classical music, rock, and jazz within his compositions.
Following Survival’s disbandment in 1997, Langevelt embarked on solo ventures both under his own name and the Survival title. He refined an instinctive musical approach that culminated in the 1999 album The Final Chapter. Subsequently, he founded BJT Studios to gain greater creative autonomy during production. Collaborations with vocalist Linda Maarseveen and guitarists David Dexter (UK), Mario Roelofsen (Purple Rainbow), and Jan Peter Eerenberg (Thijs van Leer Band) led to over thirty recorded tracks. These sessions resulted in two self-released demo albums blending progressive, symphonic, and classic rock styles: Con Brio and Montgisard.
Albums
- The Final Chapter (1999) Independently released
- Montgisard (2006) Demo CD
- Con Brio (2008) Demo CD
- Crusader (2008) Released by Musea
Members
- Jack Langevelt: Composer; Hammond organ, Piano, Synthesizers, Mellotron
- Nigel Foss: Guitar
- Amanda: Vocals, Violin
- Frans Muys van de Moer: Bass guitar
- Cor Links: Drums
Former members & guests (1978–2016)
- Patrick Milar: Guitar (2015–2016)
- Jacomijne Driessen: Vocals (2015–2016)
- Linda Maarseveen: Vocals (2014–2015)
- Dave Dexter: Guitar (2013–2015)
- Wikke van Wershoven: Drums (2013–2014)
- Carolien Goeman: Vocals (2013–2014)
- Pim van Wel: Drums (1981–1986)
- Fred Madern: Bass, Flute (1978–1985)
- Joachim Keppel: Guitars (1981–1997)
- Frank Keppel: Bass guitar (1994–1997)
- Hans Keppel: Drums (1986–1991)
- Herman Maquelin: Guitars, Synthesizers, Vocals (1978–1981)
- Pieter Maclaine Pont: Bass guitar (1986–1992)
- Henriette van Nieuwpoort: Vocals (1986)
- Gerard Wold: Vocals (1986)
- Jacqueline v/d Heide: Vocals (1988–1991)
- Carlos Breton Jr: Bass guitar (1992–1995)
- Yvonne Sloof: Vocals (1991–1993)
- Daniëlle: Vocals (1991–1993)
- Jacqueline Visser: Vocals (1991–1993)
- Rob Pattiwael: Drums (1991–1994)
- Bart Melsert: Bass guitar (1991–1994)
- Kerry Read: Vocals (1994–1996)
- Rob Monteith: Drums (1996–1997)
- Cora van den Berg: Vocals (1996–1997)
- Yvonne Meester: Vocals (2000)
- Hans van Zummeren: Bass guitar (guest)
- Rini van Willigen: Vocals (guest)
- Ed Middelman: Vocals (guest)
- Martin Suys: Guitar (guest)
- Jan Peter Eerenberg: Guitar (guest)
- Mario Roelofsen: Guitar (guest)
References
- Official site
- Profile on ReverbNation
- MySpace profile
- Official YouTube channel
- Facebook official page