Cuby + Blizzards originated from The Rocking Strings with Eelco Gelling (guitar), Nico Schröder (bass guitar, replaced by bassist Willy Middel, ex-Sinister Silhouettes), Hans Kinds (rhythm guitar) and Wim Kinds (drums). Singer Harry Muskee was a former double bassist of The Old Fashioned Jazz Group. The group regularly performed around 1964 in the former factory hall "'t Krotje" in Groningen, where they competed with the local band "Little John and the Rocking Tigers." When the first single, Stumble and Fall, was recorded for record company CNR, Dick Beekman was the drummer. The drummer left in 1966 for the beat group Ro-d-Ys but returned for a year in 1968. His replacement was Hans Waterman from Groningen. At that time, the group rehearsed in part of the farmhouse Muskee had rented in Grolloo. In the formation Muskee, Gelling, Middel, Waterman, and Hans Kinds, several singles were recorded for the Philips label of Phonogram Records, of which Back Home (A Man) reached the lower regions of the Top 40. For the recording of the first LP, Desolation, the group was expanded with Henk Hilbrandie (piano), who had already toured with the group for a year.
The band toured in 1967 and 1968 with Van Morrison, Eddie Boyd, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, and Alexis Korner. Well-known songs by the band were Another Day Another Road, Distant Smile, Window of My Eyes, and Appleknockers Flophouse, sung with a very poor English pronunciation.
Muskee's farmhouse in the Drenthe village of Grolloo became a gathering place for musicians, poets, and kindred spirits. With Back Home (1966), Windows for My Eyes (1968), and Appleknockers Flophouse (1969), the group made Dutch pop history. After a theatre tour with a tribute to the legendary blues artist John Lee Hooker in 2004, they returned to the studio resulting in the album Cats Lost (2009). They received their first gold record for this. One of the album's producers was Daniel Lohues. In 2010, they performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival. On 26 September 2011, frontman Harry Muskee passed away.
Besides Muskee, Cuby + Blizzards included illustrious members such as guitarist Eelco Gelling and, for a short time, Herman Brood.
On 26 September 2011, Harry Muskee died from liver cancer, marking the definitive end of Cuby + Blizzards.
Top 2000
In the 23rd edition of the Top 2000, Cuby + Blizzards are listed as follows:
Sunday Morning Classic
In the year that The Doors, The Beatles, and Hendrix produced classics, a Nederblues classic was also born. On 2 October 2022, it was Cuby with his Blizzards' turn with the legendary 1967 album “Groeten uit Grollo" to be the Sunday Morning Classic.
“Groeten uit Grollo” is a classic in Dutch music history. I find it very difficult to pick a favourite song, which often characterises the greatest albums. That voice of Cuby's is at times mouth-wateringly good. Roaring like a sea lion undergoing a caesarean. In my opinion, the gentlemen can easily compete with their British or American counterparts.
Coal English or Kale English? Many Dutch bands stumbled over this in that period. In that respect, C+B are in good company: Golden Earring(s), Outsiders, Q65. Groeten Uit Grollo also has a few awkward words and expressions. I don't mind.
The best-known member is undoubtedly Herman Brood, who often played the piano in a flamboyant way. 'So Many Roads' is a fine example of Brood's role; he virtually sets the tempo of the song.
This record forever places Grollo in the history books.
This album is named after a farmhouse where Harry Muskee once stayed. The Cuby + Blizzards museum is now located in that farmhouse. Nearby the village pub, where the band members were also regulars, a bust of Harry Muskee has been placed.
Source: NPO, Wikipedia and various websites Photo: NCRV and A. Vente, A & F. van Geelen
Below you will find some albums by Cuby + Blizzards. If you are looking for a specific album, please let us know. We would be happy to help you search.
