Normaal

The band was founded in 1974 by guitarist and lead vocalist Bennie Jolink and drummer Jan Manschot. The band had a very loyal following of 'anhangers' (fans) or 'høkers', some of whom followed the band's tours anywhere they went. Normaal's concerts were usually performed in large party tents in the countryside. In the early days, the concerts were mainly focused on consuming large quantities of alcohol, and partying (for which they have come up with the umbrella term 'høken') rather than sound quality, although this has changed over the decades. The term 'høken' is an example of words that the band invented or popularized, and fit their local dialect. Høken is used as word in several of the band's lyrics, song titles and album/DVD titles. It has become an established term especially in the Achterhoek region, and can even be found in the Van Dale Dutch dictionary with attribution to the band. Their first and biggest hit was "Oerend Hard" ('Bloody Fast'), a song about two motor cyclists who "never heard of slow driving". The song ends with them crashing, whereafter it is implied that both drivers have died in the crash, after which the band (and its fans) sings that despite this fact, they will continue to drive "oerend hard". Several members of the band have been involved in serious motor accidents. Normaal played their last shows in 2015. Bennie Jolink continued as a member of De Pensionado's with whom he recorded a studio-album. He retired from performing in 2016, although he did some incidental performances afterwards. In 2018, the surviving original members and Manschot's widow unveiled a statue in Hummelo, based on one of their early pictures. In 2019, Normaal played two reunion-concerts. ==Band members==

;Current members • Bennie Jolink - lead vocals, guitars, percussion (1974-2015, 2019-present) • Ferdi Joly - vocals, guitars, saxophone, clarinet, harmonica (1974-1980, 2003-2015, 2019-present) • Willem Terhorst - bass, vocals (1975-2015, 2019-present) • Timo Kelder - drums, vocals (2013-2015, 2019-present) ;Current touring members • Roel Spanjers - keyboards, accordion, piano, vocals (2003-2015, 2019-present) • Jan Wilm Tolkamp - guitars, vocals (2006-2015, 2019-present) • Joppe Bestevaar - saxophone (2024-present) ;Former members • Jan Manschot - drums, percussion, vocals (1974-1989, 2003-2005; occasional guest appearances 1989-2013; died 2014) • Willem van Dijk – bass, vocals (1974-1975) • Jan Kolkman - guitar, vocals, accordion, saxophone (1975, 1994-2003) • Alan Gascoigne - guitar (1980-1983, 2000-2005) • Paul Kemper - guitar, backing vocals (1983-2000) • Fokke de Jong - drums, vocals (1989-2003, 2005-2013) ;Former touring members • Jan de Ligt - saxophone (2003-2015, 2019-2024; his death) • Tessa Boomkamp - drums, vocals (2003-2005) • Arend Bouwmeester - saxophone (2003) • Andre Houtappels - guitar (2005-2006) • Joost Hagen - trumpet (2007-2009) ;Substitutes • Nico Groen - drums (1985) • Willem Duyn - lead vocals (1992) • Robert Colenbrander - guitar, backing vocals (1992) • Hendrik-Jan Lovink - lead vocals, guitar (2002) ==Discography==

Studio albums • Oerend Hard (1977) • Ojadasawa (1978) • ''D'n Achterhoek Tsjoek'' (1979) • Høken Is Normaal (1980) • Deurdonderen (1982) • De Boer Is Troef (1983) • De Klok Op Rock (1984) • Steen Stoal En Sentiment (1985) • Zo Kommen Wi-j De Winter Deur (1985) • Kiek Uut (1986) • ''Noar 'T Café'' (1987) • ''Da's Normaal'' (1988) • Rechttoe Rechtan (1989) • H.A.L.V.U. (1991) • Buugen Of Barsten (1992) • ''Gas D'r Bi-j'' (1994) • Top of the Bult (1996) • Krachttoer (1997) • Høken, Kreng (1998) • Effe Zitten (2000) • Van Tied Tut Tied (2000) • Ik Kom Altied Weer Terug (2001) • Høk & Swing (2003) • Fonkel (2004) • Hier Is Normaal (2006) • Ni-je NRS (2008) • De Blues eLPee (2009) • Halve Soul, Helemoal Høken (2012) • 40 Joar Høken (2015) • Normale Verhale (2021) • Nøhlen (2024) Live albums • Springleavend (1981) • Normalis Jubilaris (1990) • Bi-j Normaal Thuus (1993) • Kriebel In De Konte (1998) • Vernemstig Te Passe (2003) • Live - De VPRO sessies (2009) • Høken In Hummelo - 35 Joar Normaal (2011) • De Wilde Joaren (2013) • Ajuu De Mazzel! (2016) Compilations • Stark Wark 1980-1983 (1983) • 12½ Jaar (1988) • Het Beste Van Normaal (1992) • Hits Van Normaal (1994) • Deur De Joaren Hen (1997) • Onwijs Høken 20 Jaar Hits (1997) • 100 x Normaal (2007) ==References==