Vandenberg

This Dutch hard rock act was a vehicle for the talents of Adrian Vandenberg formed by the experienced guitarist after the collapse of his previous band, Teaser, and an unsuccessful spell rehearsing with Thin Lizzy. The group, rounded out by Bert Heerink (vocals), Dick Kemper (bass; ex-Turbo) and Jos Zoomer (drums), quickly signed to Atlantic on the strength of an impressive demo, enabling Vandenberg to give up the session work and super-realist art that had financially supported him. The self-produced Vandenberg had a heavy sound reminiscent of the Scorpions and Judas Priest, and contained sparkling performances from Vandenberg and Zoomer. The former’s songwriting and guitar playing, compared at the time to Michael Schenker's, interested David Coverdale, who twice asked the guitarist to join Whitesnake. However, with the album and "Burning Heart" single enjoying considerable success in the U.S., Vandenberg declined. Heading for a Storm benefited from the band’s wider experience, with Heerink particularly improved, but it failed to maintain the previous momentum of the band's U.S. success, despite a tour supporting Kiss. Alibi, however, saw the band regain much of their lost ground with better production and more fiery fretwork from Vandenberg, but the departure of Heerink the following year for Picture unfortunately signaled a downward slide for the band, which dissolved in 1987 when Vandenberg finally accepted an offer from the persistent Coverdale. 2020 Three compilations were released after their demise. In 2020, Adrian Vandenberg announced that he was leading a new formation of the group and releasing a new album. 2020 was released that year and hit the charts, making it the most successful Vandenberg album ever.