It is with great sadness that we share the news that Jan Veerman, the original frontman of the well-known Volendam band BZN, has died at the age of 76. The news was announced on Saturday through BZN Online, the band’s official website, marking the end of an era in Dutch music.
Veerman helped lay the foundation for BZN’s musical success in the 1960s and early 1970s, when the band was recognized for powerful rock performances. He was affectionately known within the music scene and to fans as Jan Kies.
Jan Veerman was the unmistakable face of the band long before the signature “palingsound” became synonymous with BZN. He was a member from 1965 to 1974, working closely with founders Jan Tuijp, Cees Tol, Evert Woestenburg, and Gerrit Woestenburg, after being invited to join them as a singer. Together, they released songs that are still beloved by fans today, including “Waiting For You,” “Everyday I Have To Cry,” and “Bad Bad Woman.”
A Transition from Rock Band to Palingsound
When BZN began, they were a true rock band. That changed in the mid-1970s when the group embraced the “palingsound,” a lighter and more commercial musical style. This new direction wasn’t one Jan Veerman wished to follow, so he decided to leave the band. His place was taken by Jan Keizer, who later became the face of the new BZN.
After stepping away from music, Jan returned to his earlier trade as a crane operator—a profession he held before his singing career. He settled into a quieter, more private life out of the spotlight and away from the stage. Even so, music remained a part of his life, albeit more in the background.
Remembering and Reuniting with Old Friends
In 1997, nostalgia brought Jan back to his musical roots when he co-founded the BZN’66 Reunion Band with several former band members. This initiative aimed to revive and perform BZN’s earliest songs. In this band, he reunited with Cees and Thomas Tol, Jaap Sombroek, and Evert Woestenburg, and sometimes performed with singer Anny Schilder. Together, they brought BZN’s early rock sound back to the stage. The performances were mostly about sharing memories—for early BZN fans, it was a joyful reunion with the band’s origins. Jan treasured the chance to relive the old days with long-time friends. The atmosphere was warm, focusing on the love for music and shared joy with the audience.
A Quiet Farewell
After his musical career and time as a crane operator, Jan enjoyed a quieter life. In recent years his health became fragile, though he mostly kept this private. His passing came as a surprise to many. According to the family’s announcement, his funeral will be private, attended only by close family and friends—an arrangement befitting Jan’s humble and unassuming character.
For many fans and former colleagues, Jan Veerman will remain an important figure from BZN’s early years. His voice and presence set him apart in the Dutch music scene, as he helped shape one of the country’s most iconic pop bands. His contributions will not be forgotten.
His Voice Lives on Through Music
Although Jan Veerman is no longer on stage, his music continues. His voice lives on in the old recordings, and many fans cherish the memories of concerts past. Even though his career as the band’s frontman was relatively short, his work had a major influence on BZN’s success.
Jan Veerman will be remembered as a man who stayed true to his own style and chose not to take the easy path, but to follow his heart. This made him perhaps less of a household name, but even more beloved by those who truly knew him. His life was marked by music, hard work, and remaining true to himself—a legacy to be respected and remembered.
Source: https://infovandaag.nl/tragisch-nieuws-bzn-zanger-jan-veerman-op-76-jarige-leeftijd-overleden/