Rick de Leeuw, Leo Kenter, Theo Vogelaars form Tröckener Kecks in Amsterdam, May 1980. The group’s first single, Rick Ringers, is released one year later and is followed by the band’s debut album Schliessbaum. The Kecks are inspired by the Buzzcocks and most of all The Undertones. Second single Niet Alle Meisjes Zijn Verliefd Op Kors (‘Not All Girls Are In Love With Kors’) is released in 1982. In 1983 the band reaches the finale of the Grand Prix of the Netherlands Talent Show. De Leeuw becomes the band’s lead singer. The band’s sound gradually changes into the direction of mainstream rock. In 1985 the album Betaalde Liefde (‘Paid Love’) comes out. Een Op Een Miljoen (‘One In A Million’) is the first Kecks album to be released on the small Torso label. Its follow-up De Jacht (‘The Hunt’) from 1988 is the first Kecks album that enters the Top 100. In 1989 the live album Meer! Meer! Meer! (‘More! More! More!’) is released. The Kecks sign to BMG/Ariola in 1990. The single Met Hart En Ziel (‘With Heart And Soul’) enters the Top 40 and the group receives a Zilveren (‘Silver’) Harp music award for the album Met Hart En Ziel. In 1991 the group plays at the Pinkpop festival. After the release of Andere Plaats, Andere Tijd (‘Different Place, Different Time’) the band stops all promotional activities because they oppose the programming of Dutch radio stations. Their decision causes them to break up with Ariola. In 1994 ex-Jack of Hearts keyboardist Rob van Zandvoort joins the band. Leo Kenter quits the band after the release of Het Grote Geheim (‘The Big Secret’). Ex-Bad to the bone drummer Gerben Ibelings replaces him. In 1995 the Kecks re-record their greatest hits for the compilation album Hotel Nostalgia. Dichterbij Dan Ooit (‘Closer Than Ever ‘) comes out in 1997. In November 1997 guitarist Rob de Weerd quits the band. He is replaced by Philip Tilli (former Railroad Steel and The Bartales). In 1998 The Kecks tour Belgium and Italy. And in1999 they sign to Play It Again Sam (PIAS) and start to work on a new album.|In 2000 the album >tk is welcomed upon positively. The albums Meer! Meer! Meer!, De Jacht, Een Op Een Miljoen and Betaalde Liefde are re-released. The single Niemand Thuis (‘No-one At Home’) enters the Top 100. >tk is released in a special edition, which includes a bonus CD with seven extra tracks. By the end of August 2001 the Kecks announce the end of the band.|The group’s very last album, Meer Niet! (‘That’s It!’), a double live CD, is released released in 2002.| |
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