Max Werner 1953 - 2024

 

To an end...

 The Farewell Tour ended on a low... After the concert in Gothenburg, singer Bart was not feeling too well. Things got worse, and by the time the band arrived in Norway for the WLR festival, Bart was seriously ill. He tested positive on COVID, as did 2 more band members. Long story short: the very last Kayak concert was canceled.

I was there to see the gig, and unfortunately these are the only pictures I could take...

Posters in Oslo city centre

With this unlucky post, the KayakHistory Blog comes to and end. But of course: if and when anything worth knowing comes up, I will re-open the blog straight away!

Farewell to Holland

The final Kayak concert in Holland was in the town where it all started 50 years ago. A sold out 'Vorstin' in Hilversum witnessed not only a great concert, but also a short speech by Ton Scherpenzeel. He stated that 'the book was not completely closed'... So there still may be more Kayakhistory in the future??? 

Kayak Farewell concert in Zoetermeer

The second gig of the farewell tour was at the wellknown 'Boerderij' in Zoetermeer. Always a good crowd there, and the band presented a nice mix of older and newer work. Here are some pictures, some of which I 'stole' from other people's Facebook pages...

     

                         

Kayak farewell tour in 2022

 In april and may 2022, Kayak will embark on their farewell tour. I could write my own story about this, but the official statement from Ton Scherpenzeel more or less says it all...:

“It’s been a great ride but we’ve come to the end of the line. As the other band members would have liked to continue, the decision was extra difficult. And as a musician I still do enjoy playing itself. But it takes a lot more than just that to make a good tour, and circumstances for bands like us are not getting any easier. In that respect I feel I’ve reached the limit of my capabilities. And however sad it may be, I’d rather stop too early than go on too long.”

Kayak does not rule out that the band might get together again for special projects or occasions, but as a touring unit it will be over after May 21. The last show in The Netherlands will be on May 14 in De Vorstin in Hilversum- accidentally the town where it all started back in 1972.

Another old tour poster

In 1974 and 1976,Kayak was support act to Gentle Giant. On the internet I found a nice poster, announcing the concert in Breda on may 21, 1976.

Blue vinyl single from USA

Renaissance Records (USA) have decided to pay some attention to Kayak again. They have re-released "Phantom Of The Night" on vinyl, and they teased Kayak collectors with a release of "Ruthles Queen / Keep The Change" on shiny blue vinyl!