Andy Tielman facts for kids

Andy Tielman (born May 30, 1936 – died November 10, 2011) was a super important musician. He was known as the "godfather" of Indorock. This was a special kind of rock and roll played by Indo (Eurasian) artists in the 1950s and 1960s. Many people think he was one of the most important figures in Dutch popular music. He showed that rock and roll wasn't just for American musicians.

Andy Tielman was famous for his amazing vocal range (he could sing five octaves!). He was also a virtuoso (a master) at playing the guitar and had incredible showmanship on stage. Many famous Dutch musicians, like Jan Akkerman and Herman Brood, said he was a big influence on them.

He is credited with releasing the first Dutch rock and roll song in 1958. He also led the Tielman Brothers, the first Dutch rock band to become famous around the world. His career lasted for seven decades, from the mid-1950s until he passed away in 2011. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Tielman Brothers were known as the best live band in Europe. They even earned the highest fees! In 2005, he received a special award called the Royal decoration in the Order of Orange Nassau. Andy Tielman passed away from stomach cancer in 2011.

Early Life in the Dutch East Indies

Andy Tielman was born in Makassar, Sulawesi, which was then called the Dutch East Indies. This was on May 30, 1936. His father, Herman Tielman, was a captain in the army. His mother was Flora Laurentine Hess. Both of his parents were Indo-European. Andy had five brothers and sisters: Reggy, Phonton, Loulou, and Jane.

When the Japanese took over the Indies during World War II, Andy's father was put in prison. His mother took care of Andy and his siblings. Andy later remembered that "When war came the world was broken. My whole world just fell apart."

After the Japanese surrender in 1945, his family was reunited. By then, Andy and his siblings were already performing jazz songs. Their father had taught them music. Within six months, they were playing all over Indonesia, which had just become independent. The siblings played both American and traditional Indonesian music.

By 1949, when the Netherlands officially recognized Indonesia's independence, the Tielman siblings were very well known. They even performed for President Sukarno at his palace in Jakarta. In 1951, they heard the song "Guitar Boogie" by Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith. Andy Tielman later said, "This was the first song which my brothers and I converted into rock 'n roll by adding drums to it."

The band started playing rock and roll music by artists like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Bill Haley. Besides his family band, Andy also played with other groups in Jakarta and Sumatra.

In the late 1950s, rules against the Dutch became stronger in Indonesia. This was because of problems over Dutch New Guinea. People worried about violence. Dutch businesses were taken over, and Dutch schools were banned. The last Dutch people were told to leave. These anti-Dutch feelings also affected Indo celebrities like the Tielman siblings. When they were pressured to give up their Dutch nationality, the family moved to the Netherlands.

Becoming Famous in Europe

In 1957, the Tielman family moved to the Netherlands. They first lived in Breda and then in The Hague. Their first years in the Netherlands were tough. Andy Tielman remembered that their first boarding house was "really sad." He said music was the only thing that kept them going.

The siblings needed new instruments. When Andy's guitar broke, they went to a music shop. The owner at first didn't want Andy to touch anything. But then the siblings played some Elvis songs for the owner and his family. After that, Andy got a guitar at a good price with a small down payment.

Andy and his brothers started playing at a hotel for a very small fee. They slowly gained fans among young people and other musicians. However, the Dutch establishment and main newspapers didn't like their music. On national radio and TV, important people criticized their music.

After a successful show in Brussels, Belgium, in 1958, the Tielman Brothers signed a deal. They recorded the first Dutch rock 'n' roll song, "Rock Little Baby of Mine." The band's exciting stage shows, acrobatic moves, and loud sound were new to the Netherlands. Soon, the band started performing all over the world. The Tielman brothers were also the first to play Gibson Les Paul guitars in Europe.

The band became very popular in Germany. They recorded some songs in German. They played many live shows in the Reeperbahn area of Hamburg. This city had many American soldiers and a lively music scene. Andy Tielman made a big impression on both German and British musicians there. In an interview, George Harrison of The Beatles talked about his time in Hamburg. He excitedly mentioned "Andy, the Indo man." Tielman and his band had a successful music career across Europe. This lasted until British beat music, led by The Beatles, became popular.

Adventures in Asia and Australia

In the late 1970s, Andy Tielman suddenly stopped his music career. He left his family and belongings to live alone in the jungles of Kalimantan. He lived among the Dayak people. In a TV interview, he said, "The Dayak hunted monkeys for food. I just hunted wild chicken." For over two years, he lived a quiet life and meditated.

Then, a female fan found him in the backwoods of Bali. This young German woman, Carmen Tielman, later became his wife. She stayed with him for over a year. After that, he decided to return to the "civilized" world and start his music career again.

Tielman then moved to Australia and lived there for five years. In the 1980s, he toured Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. Sometimes he would return to the Netherlands. There, he slowly started recording music again. After an important book called Rockin Ramona came out in 1989, the Netherlands started to appreciate its early music pioneers more. Andy Tielman began to get more and more recognition as a founder of Dutch pop music.

Return to the Netherlands

Andy Tielman eventually moved back to the Netherlands for good. In 1990, he played in a reunion concert with the Tielman Brothers. That same year, he released a solo album called Now And Forever. In 1994 and 1995, he toured the Caribbean and North America. In 1997, he released the album Loraine Jane, named after his only daughter. That year, he also performed as the main act at a festival celebrating Elvis Presley in Amsterdam.

In 1998, the album Loraine Jane was presented at the Pasar Malam Besar in The Hague. On October 31, 1998, Tielman celebrated his 50th anniversary as an artist with a show in The Hague. Leading up to this anniversary, Andy Tielman received a lot of attention in the Dutch media. Famous Dutch artists like Herman Brood expressed their admiration for his music. In 1999, Andy Tielman toured the United States.

In 2003, Andy Tielman recorded a new album in Amsterdam. In 2004, he recorded a live DVD at the Kurhaus in Scheveningen. It was called It's My Life. In 2005, the DVD was officially presented at the Pasar Malam Besar in The Hague.

In 2005, Tielman was given the Order of Orange-Nassau award. After the tsunami off Aceh in 2004, he performed at a Dutch national charity event for the victims. He sang traditional Indonesian songs with two other Indo artists. In 2007, Tielman played with Chris Latul in Utrecht. This celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Pelita Foundation, which helps Dutch Indos.

For the 50th anniversary of his song "Rock Little Baby of Mine" in 2008, a festival was held in Groningen. On October 3, he performed at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam. He was the main act for the national Liberation Day celebrations in The Hague in 2008. With the Indorock band Tjendol Sunrise, he recorded the album 21st Century Rock. This album included new versions of Tielman Brothers hits, new songs, and a new version of "Rock Little Baby of Mine." At the Tong Tong Fair, he played a special concert with guitarist Jan Akkerman.

By the fall of 2009, Tielman became ill and had to cancel a tour. He was diagnosed with cancer. In November, he had surgery. By December 19, he had recovered enough to give a short performance. In March 2010, he played a show in Spain. During the 2011 Tong Tong Fair, Tielman celebrated his 75th birthday. He also held a sold-out farewell concert. On November 10, 2011, Andy Tielman passed away from cancer.

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In Spanish: Andy Tielman para niños