Cuby and Blizzards Band Description:
Cuby and the Blizzards were a Dutch blues band that formed in 1964 in Grolloo, a small village in the Netherlands. The band consisted of Harry Muskee (vocals), Eelco Gelling (guitar), Willy Middel (bass), Hans Waterman (drums), and Herman Brood (piano). They were one of the most important bands in the Dutch blues scene during the 1960s and 1970s and helped popularize blues music in the Netherlands.
During the early 1960s, the Netherlands was experiencing a surge in popularity of rock and roll music. However, there were few bands playing the blues, which had yet to make a major impact in the Dutch music scene. Cuby and the Blizzards changed that. They were heavily influenced by American blues musicians like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and John Lee Hooker, and their music was a fusion of traditional blues with elements of rock and roll.
The band's breakthrough came in 1965 with their debut single "Stumble and Fall," which was a hit in the Netherlands. This was followed by their debut album "Desolation," which featured a mix of blues covers and original compositions. The album received critical acclaim and cemented the band's reputation as one of the best blues bands in the country.
Over the next few years, Cuby and the Blizzards continued to release successful albums and singles, and they became known for their high-energy live performances. They toured extensively throughout Europe, playing to packed crowds in Germany, France, and Belgium. In 1968, they played at the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival in the United States, where they were well-received by American audiences.
During the 1970s, the band's sound evolved, and they began incorporating elements of jazz and soul into their music. Their 1970 album "Too Blind to See" was a departure from their earlier blues-based sound and featured more complex arrangements and instrumentation. The album was a critical success and helped establish the band as a serious force in the Dutch music scene.
However, by the late 1970s, the band had begun to experience internal strife. There were disagreements between band members over the direction of their music, and in 1978, Eelco Gelling, the band's lead guitarist, left the group. Cuby and the Blizzards continued to perform and record, but their popularity began to wane, and by the end of the decade, they had largely faded from the public eye.
Despite their relatively brief time in the spotlight, Cuby and the Blizzards left an indelible mark on the Dutch music scene. They helped introduce the blues to a new generation of Dutch musicians, and their music remains influential to this day. Harry Muskee, the band's lead vocalist, passed away in 2011, but his legacy lives on through the music of Cuby and the Blizzards.
