Book presentation / 40 years of Kayak!!!

On 21 september 1972, a young band in Hilversum decided to name themselves Kayak. Exactly 40 years later, and about 100 meters from where they recorded their first demos, there was the official presentation of the book "Kayak - 40 years".

Ton, Chiel, Irene

Ton, Gerrit Jan, Irene

Ton's -short- speech

Rock venue "De Vorstin" gave home to the band, friends and relatives, fans, people from the press etc. From the rich past of Kayak I noticed: Peter Scherpenzeel, Gerrit Jan Leenders and Marjolein Teepen. Chiel van Praag, who played with Pim and Ton the late sixties, did an interview with Ton and Irene about the book. Then, there was a chat with Ton, Irene and Gerrit Jan, and the official 'first copy' of the book was handed over to the couple.

The official part was followed by a short Kayak performance, that gave us a hint of the upcoming tour. They played the 40-year old  "Hope For A Life", "Phantom Of The Night", the brand new tracks "She Rules My World/Cleopatra", "Before The Angels Fell" and "Ruthles Queen". Brilliant!



After the performance, it was time for the fans to pick up their books. The new Cleopatra/Symmetry-EP was also for sale for the first time. And as a bonus, every buyer of the book received a free t-shirt. Enough time was left for having the books signed, and for a chat and (free!) drinks and snacks. Many thanks to Kayak and their publisher for this nice gesture!

During the making of the book, I offered Ton and Irene some pictures and other items from my collection. I feel honoured that they mentioned me in their "thank you's", and to see quite a few of 'my' material in the book.

The book is the first in a series of "Dutch Rock Classics". It's an entertaining and informative book, in which Ton expresses his thoughts and feelings about 40 years of Kayak. Marvellous stuff, that is: if you understand Dutch...

Some more pictures:

    

Cindy and me (pic: Dirk van Sprang)