The Top 40 has been the leading hit list in the Netherlands since 1965. In the Today section we look back at events in pop music that took place exactly X years ago. In this episode of Today: Chiel Montagne presents the first episode of the new music program Op Losse Groeven.
On April 29, 1971 the first episode of the monthly music program Op Losse Groeven will be broadcast. The TROS program only covers Dutch-language music or instrumental music by artists from the Low Countries. Chiel Montagne links all performances together. The first episode features Mieke Telkamp with Waarheen, Waarvoor… and Ronnie Tober with Rozen Voor Sandra.
The program ensures an increase in Dutch-language music in the Top 40. Zou Het Erg Wees, Lieve Opa by Father Abraham & Wilma and Manuela by Jacques Herb reached first place in the summer of 1971, and Het Soldaatje (De Vier Riddles) and Pappie Loop Toch Niet Zo Snel by Zangeres Zonder Naam and Herman Van Keeken respectively reach the top 10. Many other songs from the popular genre appear in the bottom half of the hit list. Op Losse Groeven has no place for many progressive musicians from the Netherlands, such as Boudewijn De Groot. Ramses Shaffy, on the other hand, will perform.
In 1978 the name of the program changed to Op Volle Toeren and the program became a bit more modern. During the Dutch pop craze of the early 1980s, bands Doe Maar and Het Goede Doel also appeared in the program. Nevertheless, Op Volle Toeren remains a program full of tearjerkers, sing-along songs and novelty hits in those years. After nineteen years of loyal service by presenter Chiel Montagne, the program ended in 1990.
Here’s what else happened on April 29:
The musical Hair is going on April 29, 1968 premiered on Broadway.
The contemporary hippie musical Hair is controversial because it contains nudism and illegal drugs. Nevertheless, Hair is received enthusiastically by the audience. The performance will go to London in September and will then be performed in several other European cities.
Hair’s influence is clearly noticeable in the Top 40. In January 1969, Hair by the Dutch group Zen and Ain’t got no – I got life by Nina Simone followed each other as number 1 hits. On March 1, the Top 40 even contained four Hair-related hits. In addition to Hair and Ain’t got no, there were two performances of the Frank Mills song: a cover by the Dutch Bojoura and a recording by Shelley Plimpton, who himself played in Hair. Of the actors and actresses who starred in the Boradway premiere of Hair, Shelley is the only one who has ever scored a Top 40 hit. Later in the year Aquarius / Let the sunshine in by The 5th Dimension and Good morning Starshine by Oliver followed.
In the 1990s, a gabber version of Aquarius by the Party Animals became a number 1 hit and another, quieter version of Nina Simone’s Ain’t Got No – I Got Life reached ninth place. Together with Grease, Hair is the most successful musical in the Top 40.
Also on this day:
1967: Sandie Shaw scores a number 1 hit with Puppet On A String. The British singer has been in first place for three weeks. Sandie Shaw’s bare feet during her performances have been her trademark throughout her career.
1978: Boney M rises to first place with the double A-side Rivers Of Babylon/Brown Girl In The Ring. This disco single topped the Top 40 for nine weeks, but did not become the biggest hit of 1978. That honor belongs to You’re The One That I Want by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
2000: In 1996, Melanie C already topped the Top 40 as a member of the Spice Girls, but now she can do it without her colleagues from the British girl group. With Never Be The Same Again she rises to the coveted top position. Melanie C works together with another member of a well-known girl group, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes from TLC.
2002: Tol Hansse died in Heerhugowaard at the age of 62. In 1978 he scored a big hit with Big City. Tol Hansse was the stage name of Hans van Tol. He suffered from lung cancer.
2006: Shakira and Wyclef Jean lead the Top 40 with Hips Don’t Lie. After Whenever Wherever and Underneath Your Clothes, Hips Don’t Lie is the third number 1 hit for Shakira, while Wyclef Jean, as a member of the Fugees, was at the top for six weeks in 1996 with Killing Me Softly.
2015: Jessie J is cleaning up and unfollowing everyone on Twitter. The result was a huge crowd of angry fans.
2022: Rowwen Hèze wins the Limburg Pop Prize in the ‘best artist’ category. It is the first time that this award – which has existed since 2019 – has been awarded to an act that has once been in the Top 40.
Born today:
1929 – April Stevens93 years old at death, Nino Tempo & April Stevens
1929 – Ray Barrettoat death 76 years,
1931 – Tony Foxat death 89 years,
1933 – Rod McKuenat death 81 years,
1938 – Klaus VoormannManfred Mann
1942 – Bob MirandaThe Happenings
1943 – Duane AllenThe Oak Ridge Boys
[1945– Tammi Terrellat death 24 years,
1946 – Rein De BruinThe Amazing Stroopwafels
1947 – Tommy JamesTommy Jones And The Shondells
1951 – Cees Van LeeuwenKayak
1951 – Bob “Willard” Henke, 71 years old at death, Dr. Hook
1953 – Bill DrummondThe KLF
1958 – Simon EdwardsFairground Attraction
1960 – Gerard JolingToppers
1965 – Peter Rauhofer48 years old at death, Club 69
1967 – Master P,
1968 – Carnie WilsonWilson Phillips
1971 – TajSWV
1973 – Mike HoganThe Cranberries
1974 – Tim EiermannLiquido
1979 – Jo O’Meara, 2-4 Family | S Club 7
1980 – Coen SwijnenbergCoen & Sander
1980 – Kian Egan,
1981 – Tom SmithEditors
Today at number 1:
1967 – 1 (5) Puppet On A String– Sandie Shaw (Pye), 1 week at number 1
1972 – 1 (1) Après Toi– Vicky Leandros (Philips), 2 weeks at number 1
1978 – 1 (4) Rivers Of Babylon / Brown Girl In The Ring– Boney M. (Hansa), 1 week at number 1
1989 – 1 (1) Eternal Flame– Bangles (CBS), 3 weeks at number 1
1995 – 1 (1) Think Twice– Celine Dion (Columbia), 3 weeks at number 1
2000 – 1 (2) Never Be The Same Again– Melanie C featuring Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (Virgin), 1 week at number 1
2006 – 1 (5) Hips Don’t Lie– Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean (Epic), 1 week at number 1
2017 – 1 (1) Shape Of You– Ed Sheeran (Asylum), 15 weeks at number 1
2023 – 1 (1) Flowers– Miley Cyrus (Columbia), 14 weeks at number 1
(29/04/2024)
