The Saints (22)

In 1963 a band was founded by a couple of students from the Vlissingse Zeevaartschool (Nautical School) "De Ruyter" under the name: "Johnny and the Saints". At the time a quite obvious name with singer Johnny. Later changed to "J.G and the Saints". At that time you had to stay at school all week and outside school time you want something to do. Together with some like-minded people the band was started. There was a room under the school canteen where they played music during parties and the played in Club La Cave inbetween Stripteases (It's a good thing their parents didn't know anything about that). The repertoire was also very contemporary with "The Shadows" as a great example. The vocal part consists of "Cliff Richard" numbers. With their own composition, they even lured to a recording, which never happened. Unfortunately the director of the school was not so charmed by the activity. "They were given the choice: stop playing and move on to the final year, or continue playing and don't pass. The study was the daily reality and when everyone had their diploma in 1966, it was also the end of "J.G and the Saints". As so often, they can't leave the music, so also here. In 1981 Frans Jansens removed a dusty 12-string "Egmond" from the attic and the first notes of "Apache" filled the room. The "Egmond" was exchanged for a real "Fender Strat" ​​and "Vox AC30" amplifier. With Rien Bouwmeester, who was responsible for the guitar at the time the Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch parts were filled in. Ronnie v.d Meer presented himself as bassist and the rhythm section was filled in by Wim de Voogd as the drummer. "The Saints" were reborn. A little later Hans Helmich came with his synthesizer to fill in the parts of Norrie Paramor. Ronnie v.d Meer took care of the few vocal songs. Again, the repertoire consisted mainly of "Shadows" songs, but both the old and the "newer" work. After the necessary practice and various performances, the members of the band became more and more enthusiastic, with the result that in 1984 the studio of Ron Konings was rented out of their own pocket. Fourteen songs were recorded and mixed in four days. Making music is a nice hobby and that has always been and will always be the starting point for "The Saints". All members have a busy job and then playing and performing is often difficult to combine. In 1990 Ronnie v.d Meer had to give up and his place was filled by Arnold Vink. After the necessary practice sessions but no more performances, it was decided in 1995 to go into the studio again. This time "Studio 2" from Wolfert Jumelet in Ouwerkerk. 14 songs were recorded and mixed in five days. The old recordings from 1984 were polished with the help of an exciter and the material for the CD was ready. Two "own songs" ("When my Willy" and "G-strings") were written by Hans Helmich's and "Saints by Night" is the product of Frans Jansens and Hans Helmich.