Eelco Gelling

Eelco Gelling
Eelco Gelling (formerly of Cuby + Blizzards) at the last opening night of Café de Beukelsbrug in Rotterdam (27 June 2009).
Background information
Born	(1946-06-12) 12 June 1946 Zwartsluis, The Netherlands
Genres	Blues rock, jazz fusion, instrumental rock, hard rock
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1965–present
Labels	Philips, Fontana, Mercury Records, Polydor
Associated acts	Cuby + Blizzards, Golden Earring, Tower, Eelco Gelling Band
Website	Eelco Gelling Band
Notable instruments
Gibson Les Paul Custom

Eelco Gelling (born 12 June 1946) is a Dutch blues guitarist. He and Jan Akkerman are stated as the two top notch guitar players from the Netherlands. ^{[citation needed]} Gelling played with Cuby + Blizzards (which he co-founded together with Harry Muskee) until 1976. In 1973, he joined Golden Earring where he played for several years. He first appeared as a full fledged member on "Contraband" (released in the U.S. under the title "Mad Love"). Eelco's haunting slide work is highlighted on the tracks "Sueleen" and "Bombay". While out on tour the grouped recorded it first live album "Golden Earring Live". Eelco helps the group deliver many of their classics including an extended version of the group's smash hit "Radar Love". Gelling also plays on the group's "Grab it for a Second" album. During a tour in the United States he left the band; after discussions about the music style and after his favorite guitar (a Gibson Les Paul Custom) was stolen from a cab in New York, he quit Golden Earring and went back to the Netherlands. He played in several bands and after a few years started his own, the Eelco Gelling Band. On 25 June 2010 the Eelco Gelling Band performed for the last time, since then the band continued as Kroppo's Blues Band, without Gelling.^[1]

The period with Cuby + Blizzards (1966 - 1974)

During his time with Cuby + Blizzards the band became famous in Germany and well known in the UK. They played and toured with Eddie Boyd and Alexis Korner. In 1966 they toured with John Mayall and when Mayall came over to the Netherlands to stay for a couple of days, he asked Gelling to join the Bluesbreakers. Gelling did not agree and stayed with Cuby + Blizzards.^[2] The band recorded their last album in 1974, named Het Afscheidsconcert (The Farewell Concert). The band stopped, but was reunited in 1976 for a short period to record two more albums Kid Blue and Old times, Good times. In the early '90s C+B was re-formed, without Gelling.

References

External links

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