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This group from Grollo in Drente can be called a patriarch of the Dutch blues groups. The two frontmen, Harry "Cuby" Muskee (v, h, ex-Oldfashioned Jazzband) and Eelco Gelling (g), had already played together in the Rocking Strings (1962) and the Sharks (1963). Together with bassist Willy Middel and drummer Dick Beekman they played rock & roll in those early years.
They changed their name into Cuby & Blizzards after adding guitarist Hans Kinds. Their first gig was set to take place at the Emmen zoological gardens, and soon the group became so popular, that they had to rush-produce their first recording, followed by a tour through Italy.
The group's fame eventually spread throughout Europe and reached the shores of Albion. Also worth noting is that Eelco was asked to come and play with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and the group toured through the Netherlands with Van Morrison. They also recorded an LP together with the then-52-year old American bluesman Eddie Boyd, entitled, "Praise The Blues". Other memorable feats: the Edison that was presented to them by Wim Sonneveld for the LP "Desolation", a performance on the Grand Gala du Disque in 1968 and a visit by John Mayall to Cuby's little farm in Grollo.
Apart from Harry and Eelco, who were present in the group continuously, the line-up was as follows: bassist Willy Middel was replaced in 1967 by Jaap van Eyck (ex-Blues Dimension, in 1969 to Focus). Drummer Dick Beekman left the group temporarily from 1966-67 to play in the Rodijs, and was replaced in that era by Hans Waterman (ex-René Five, later in Solution) and Peter de Leeuwe (ex-Bintangs, later in Ekseption), respectively. A keyboard player was added to Cuby in 1966, one Henk Hilbrandie, who then yielded that spot to Herman Brood (ex-Moans). Hans Kinds left the group in 1967, but was not replaced.
In 1969, Harry, Eelco, Herman Deinum (b, ex-Blues Dimension), Helmig van der Vegt (o, p, ex-Blues Dimension) and Hans Lafaille (dr, ex-Blues Dimension). In 1972, after Hans and Herman departed to join Rob Hoeke's band, the group disbanded.
Harry and Eelco remained musically active in the 70s, with their new project, the Red White & Blue Band, an outfit which re-billed itself as Cuby & Blizzards at the end of 1975.
In 1975, when it turned out that the Red White & Blue Band wasn't quite working out, it was decided to reform Cuby & Blizzards, albeit in the new line-up: Harry, Eelco, Lou Leeuw (b, ex-Rocking Tigers), a succession of drummers: Herman van Boeyen (ex-Supersister, to Vitesse), Cesar Zuiderwijk (Golden Earring, temporary replacement) and Mels Bol (ex-Fontessa). On the LP, Frank Nuyens (g, ex-Q'65) and Robert-Jan Stips could be heard as well. Following the change of name, Frank and Piet de Leeuwe (o, p, ex-Child Of Nature and Toermalijn) completed the group.
In 1976, the line-up was: Harry, Eelco, Charles van der Steeg (s, ex-Bintangs), Bernard Reinke (g, ex-Capital C), Jan Groenink (dr, ex-Shamrock) and Lou Leeuw (b). During the course of that year, Harry and Eelco parted ways: Eelco went on to tour with Golden Earring, and Harry continued on as the Harry Muskee Band with Bernard and Lou.
Other members included: Martin van Dijk (o, p, ex-Parnassus, later in Werk In Uitvoering) and the aforementioned Jan Groenink (dr, to Shakey Sam). This band stayed together till 1979. But prior to its break-up, Bernard joined Phoney & Hardcore and was replaced by Ruud van As (g), Lou joined Nina Hagen Band and Phoney & Hardcore. In 1980, Harry re-emerged in the Muskee Gang with the following line-up: Hans Lafaille (dr, ex-Sweet d'Buster), Jan Holder (tr), Rudi van Dijk (s, ex-Flash & Dance Band and Farrago), Bas Munniksma (s, ex-Human Orchestra) and Cees v.d. Laarse (b, ex-Jan Akkerman, to Tao). Finally, the 1981 line-up : Hans Lafaille (dr), Herman Deinum (b), Paul Smeenk (g), all three ex-Sweet d'Buster members, Rudi van Dijk (s) and Jeff Reynolds (tr).
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