RAYMOND VAN HET GROENEWOUD plays 'Nooit Meer Drinken' (1977)

We don't really have to introduce Raymond van het Groenewoud any more. With almost twenty albums to his name, Raymond has more than earned his place in the history of Belgian music. Last year Raymond had been treading the planks for exactly 35 years and he coupled a theatre tour 'Mijnheer Raymond Viert Feest' to the occasion. For REWIND Raymond will play his classic 'Nooit Meer Drinken' exclusively and in its entirety.

'Nooit Meer Drinken' was released exactly 31 years ago, in '77. What really stands out is the cover with a sketch of Raymond, drawn by none less than Kamagurka. With 'Nooit Meer Drinken' 'Leerde (Raymond) zijn volk in zijn eigen taal rocken als een geilneef.' (Focus Knack). Three classic singles were taken from the album: 'Crazy Pub', 'Zjoske Schone Meid' and the classic of Flemish classics: 'Meisjes'. Jean Blaute - who was also producer of the record - said of it: 'Meisjes was een statement. Niemand had ooit tevoren zo rauw en geil over liefde en seks gezongen in het Nederlands. Johan Verminnen en Kris De Bruyne stonden perplex toen ze 'Meisjes' hoorden. Bram Vermeulen vond 'Meisjes' verschrikkelijk en debiel.'. Do you still remember the fantastic - but ironic 'Italianen'? That song ('Italianen aan honderd blablabla per uur, schone schoenen, zeer veel stijl, maar geen caruur') harvested a storm of protest and the song was even banned from the radio for a time.

Oh yes, and De Centimeters - Raymond's former backing band - felt like supporting Raymond once again especially for this REWIND one-off. So bassist Mich Verbelen and drummer Stoy Stoffelen have committed themselves to this project - complimented by the likes of the current horn-section from Straffe Mannen. The final line-up will be made known at a later date.

Another piece of interesting trivia to close with: in '67 Raymond gave his first performance with this band The AB's (Antwerp Boys). He performed only once with them... at a birthday party for the grandmother of a band-member.

Before the concert you can already view old footage of Raymond Van Het Groenewoud. Afterwards, as tradition will now have it, Raymond will be grilled by Jan Delvaux (author of 'Big In Belgium. Het Verhaal Van De Belgische Pop') and Knack journalist Wouter Van Driessche.