Vandenberg (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam and Los Angeles , Netherlands and United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Vandenberg () is a hard rock band with Dutch and American roots, originating from Amsterdam and Los Angeles. Established in 1981, the group takes its name from guitarist Adriaan "Adje" van den Berg, also known as Adrian Vandenberg.
Career
Van den Berg assembled Vandenberg in 1981, bringing together Bert Heerink on vocals, Dick Kemper handling bass duties, and Jos Zoomer on drums. After producing a demo tape, they gained the management of journalist Kees Baars, who secured a recording deal with Atlantic Records.
Their first album, Vandenberg, was laid down at Sol Studios, owned by former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. In 1983, the track "Burning Heart" climbed to No. 39 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The band supported acts like Ozzy Osbourne and KISS during their U.S. tours and then embarked on a solo tour in Japan in 1984. The follow-up album, Heading for a Storm, featured "Different Worlds", which achieved moderate recognition but did not replicate the success of "Burning Heart".
Their third release, Alibi, produced by Jaap Eggermont of Golden Earring, was recorded in the Netherlands but did not enter the charts. Soon after its release, lead vocalist Heerink departed from the group. Atlantic Records declined demos recorded with new singer Peter Struyk.
Adrian Vandenberg later contributed guest guitar solos on a Whitesnake album and officially joined Whitesnake in 1987 following limited achievements with his own band.
In 2004, Vandenberg regrouped to issue The Definitive Vandenberg, a two-disc compilation that included a refreshed version of "Burning Heart". A DVD released in 2005 showcased footage from their 1984 concert in Tokyo.
By July 2012, former members Heerink, Kemper, and Zoomer sought to assert rights over the "Van Den Berg" name against guitarist Adrian Vandenberg.
In January 2020, Adrian Vandenberg revived the band under the same name with a fresh lineup featuring ex-Rainbow vocalist Ronnie Romero, bassist Rudy Sarzo, and drummer Brian Tichy. Their first studio album in 35 years, titled 2020, was released on May 29, 2020.
Swedish vocalist Mats Levén became part of the group on October 8, 2021. In August 2023, Vandenberg unveiled Sin, an album showcasing Levén alongside drummer Koen Herfst, bassist Randy van der Elsen, and Adrian Vandenberg himself. The production was handled by Bob Marlette.
Band members
Current
- Adrian Vandenberg – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers
- Mats Levén – vocals
- Randy van der Elsen – bass
- Koen Herfst – drums
Past
- Bert Heerink – vocals
- Dick Kemper – bass, synthesizers
- Jos Zoomer – drums
- Ronnie Romero – vocals
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLD | US | ||
| 1982 | Vandenberg | 19 | 65 |
| 1983 | Heading for a Storm | 14 | 169 |
| 1985 | Alibi | 18 | — |
| 2020 | 2020 | 2 | — |
| 2023 | Sin | 3 | — |
Compilations
- The Best of Vandenberg (1988)
- Different Worlds: The Definitive Vandenberg (2004)
Video albums
- Live in Japan (2005)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Atco Records artists
- Dutch glam metal bands
- Dutch hard rock bands
- American hard rock bands
- Musical acts originating from Amsterdam
- Musical acts originating from Los Angeles
- Bands formed in 1981
- Bands disbanded in 1987
- Bands reunited in 2020
- Musical groups disestablished in 1987