Dutch 70's Bands: Way More Than Gouda!

Note: This post is dedicated to all my fellow Rock & Romance Cruise trivia players. Hint: There always seems to be a Dutch song amongst the questions, so these may be worth remembering. And they’re totally cool songs to enjoy, too!

Although The Dutch didn’t produce nearly the volume of music that the Americans or British did in the 1970s, they deserve their rightful place in rock and roll history. Of course, the Van Halen brothers, Eddie and Alex, may be the most famous rockers to hail from The Netherlands, but there were plenty of others. And the diversity of Dutch music is wildly impressive, ranging from progressive rock to the most addictive of pop.

So put on your favorite pair of wooden shoes and get up and dance to these classics.

Hocus Pocus - Focus

Perhaps, the progressive rock band from Amsterdam, Focus, is best described in one of the comments in this video clip. “They play this song like their tour bus was double-parked outside.” Yodeling, whistling, flute, opera singing, relentless guitar, drums, and keyboards. It’s absolutely nuts in the most glorious of ways. I wonder if Gladys Knight knew what she was in store for when she introduced this epic performance.

How Do You Do – Mouth & MacNeal Making it to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, this song is an incredibly catchy, fun tune that anyone can sing along with. The unlikely looking duo, formed by Dutch record producer Hans van Hemert, certainly is having a blast in this video, along with everyone else. Puppets, pretzel sticks, and who knows what else?

Golden Earring – Radar Love Many think of this as a rock masterpiece—and for good reason. Making the Top 10 around the world in 1974, it still sounds great today. Founded in 1961 in The Hague, Golden Earring continued to perform until 2021 when the lead guitarist and vocalist, George Kooymans, retired due to an illness.

Una Paloma Blanca – George Baker Selection Why does this song make me want to march around my house playing the pan flute? Hailing from Assendelft, the Netherlands, George Baker Selection had several hits before splitting up in 1978.

Runnin’ with the Devil – Van Halen What can I say? Just rock perfection.