1st AVENUE [NL] - AOR
Introduction
For the history of this Dutch AOR band, we have to go back to the year 1987. Keyboard player Robert Kempe (later known as Robby Valentine) had just left the band Line and decided to start an AOR project. Looking for a suitable vocalist, he sent a tape with some of his new songs to Peter Struijk (aka Peter Strykes), who gained the necessary experience in bands like Horizon, Vandenberg and Avalon. Having had a difficult time behind him, Struijk wasn’t that keen to join Kempe at first, but the quality of the material won him over. From then on, things went pretty quick for 1st Avenue, with guitarist Gil Lopez, bass player Arko Bommer and drummer Nop Ton rounding off the line-up. There was a great chemistry between Kempe and Struijk and in a period of only three months, over twenty songs were written.
A second try-out (in January 1988) was of overriding importance for the new band. Producer Okkie Huysdens was among those present and suggested to record three songs for Rob & Ferdi Bolland. Being highly successful musicians themselves, the Bolland brothers were also known as producers and music publishers. With their help, 1st Avenue was able to sign a deal for two albums with the Indisc label shortly after.
But … things went probably a bit too quick for the two leading men. According to Peter Struijk (who I interviewed in September 1992), Robert Kempe wanted to rule the roost too much, which ultimately led to his dismissal in the mid of 1988. A little later he was replaced by Joby Bosboom (k).
Once that line-up problem was solved, a long period of writing, recording and selecting material for the debut platter started. After four years of doctoring, the debut album “Tears And Triumph” was finally ready for release in April 1992. Featuring the singles “Heaven In Your Arms” and “Once In A Million Years” (two excellent ballads), the album oozed quality with great vocals and huge keyboards.
A second album, “Daily Battle”, followed in 1994 and although it was another great album, it would become 1st Avenue’s swan song.
Chris Lambert
A second try-out (in January 1988) was of overriding importance for the new band. Producer Okkie Huysdens was among those present and suggested to record three songs for Rob & Ferdi Bolland. Being highly successful musicians themselves, the Bolland brothers were also known as producers and music publishers. With their help, 1st Avenue was able to sign a deal for two albums with the Indisc label shortly after.
But … things went probably a bit too quick for the two leading men. According to Peter Struijk (who I interviewed in September 1992), Robert Kempe wanted to rule the roost too much, which ultimately led to his dismissal in the mid of 1988. A little later he was replaced by Joby Bosboom (k).
Once that line-up problem was solved, a long period of writing, recording and selecting material for the debut platter started. After four years of doctoring, the debut album “Tears And Triumph” was finally ready for release in April 1992. Featuring the singles “Heaven In Your Arms” and “Once In A Million Years” (two excellent ballads), the album oozed quality with great vocals and huge keyboards.
A second album, “Daily Battle”, followed in 1994 and although it was another great album, it would become 1st Avenue’s swan song.
Chris Lambert
Discography01|1992|Tears
And Triumph
780 (#1) 02|1994|Daily Battle 737 (#2) 
|
Rock Report's choice
Tears And TriumphIndisc, 1992
Produced by Okkie Huysdens Tr. 2 produced by Rob & Ferdi Bolland Ratings: HH: 85 (31) | RYM: 3.55 (29) Total rating: 780 Updated: 141208 Line-upPeter Strykes (v)
Gil Lopez (g) Joby Bosboom (k) Arko Bommer (b) Nop Ton (d) |
Track listing
01|Intro (RK)/Going For The Gold (RK/GL/PS)
02|Heaven In Your Arms (RB/FB) 03|When The Night Is Gone (RK/PS) 04|Out Of Reach (JVR/JJH)/Out Of Touch (RK/GL) 05|Once In A Million Years (AB/PS) 06|Never Too Late To Live (RK/PS) 07|Hurt Before (RK/PS) 08|You Forsake Me (RK/PS) 09|Help Me Out (RK/GL/PS) 10|Tears And Triumph (JVR/PS) SongwritersAB = Arko Bommer
FB = Ferdi Bolland GL = Gil Lopez JJH = J.J. ‘Okkie’ Huysdens JVR = J. van Rooij PS = Peter Strykes RB = Rob Bolland RK = Robert Kempe |
