IndoRock : The Lost Legacy of Rock n’ Roll

If I say to you today, a music genre of “IndoRock”.. what came into your mind?

/RIF?
Jamrud?
DEWA?
Gigi?

They all a fabulous Rock band from Indonesia. But the truth about IndoRock is something far more legendary than we have ever thought of.

Well, to define it precisely, Indorock is the pioneer of rock in the Netherlands!

Indonesia was once under the Dutch colony. When the Indonesians gained official independence in 1949, the Dutch colony moved back to Netherlands during which some Indonesians moved out to the Netherlands as well. The Indo community lived in Hague, Netherlands, and from there they brought rock n’ roll music into the country during the 60′s, where at that time the Dutch’s youth had never even heard about such music.

They call the first rock brought by those Indo community as the IndoRock! To name one of the band is The Tielman Brothers. I’ve never heard about them until now (thanks to YouTube) and when I saw their live performance, my jaw literally dropped and my eyes popped out. I’ve never seen such great performance! Watch the video below, believe me, you will be enhanced.. (see the comments in YouTube)

Yes, WHAT?! That is amazing. A drum playing guitar with drum stick, playing guitar with feet, standing on a double bass, insane!

CBN news tells that Andy Tielman, the lead guitar player, has done what Jimi Hendrix did in 1967 when he was in 1956. Playing guitar with teeth and feet. The Tielman Brothers were also one of the first to purchase the Gibson Les Paul in Netherlands at that time and when they release their 3 albums by 1958,  they influence so many people into buying the Gibson Les Paul.

There were also news that said when The Beatles saw their performance in Germany, it influences Paul McCartney into using the Bass Violin Hoffner and also the ‘jumpy’ bass Paul uses in the song “I Saw Her Standing There”.

I think The Tielman Brothers were way ahead of their time. The way they play are what we see in the world few centuries after their time. That’s why they receive some critics for their wild actions of performance. But that’s the legacy they have brought into rock n’ roll without not much people noticing.

Now.. I thought.. what if:

1. They were not Indonesians,
2. There was YouTube at that time in the 60′s, and
3. They perform in UK and USA

I bet they’ll be as famous as Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, or even Elvis Presley. Surely! Look at the way they roll, they did what Elvis or Jimi Hendrix would do years ahead!!

There are still plenty more legendary Indo-Dutch that we have never known. The recent artist who came back into performing in Indonesia is Daniel Sahuleka who was a legend in Dutch as well during the 70′s.

And I just found this out, Eddie and Alex Van Halen (yes the legendary Van Halen), are actually an Indo-Dutch as well! Yes, who would have thought!

Which is why, I am kinda glad that Indo was under the Dutch Colony. Maybe, if we were still, things could’ve been different (maybe better). But I won’t regret it, I’m still glad we are an independent country.

I wish Indonesian Music nowadays could become like what happened back then, when we influenced the European countries, and became such a legend for the international world. Why? Because Music brought such impact to our country and world..

1. It touches people’s heart,
2. It changes the economics, and
3. It gained respects from countries all over the world

What an amazing discoveries. I truly salute all those Indorock legends who have brought such a legacy into the rock n roll music. I hope their name will be known better and be introduced to our nowadays societies, how Indonesians have rocked the European world!

Another INSANE Video, in 1990 when they are quite old.

Viva IndoRock!