Earth and Fire
Earth and Fire[1] were a Dutch rock and pop band. Formed in the Netherlands by twin brothers Chris and Gerard Koerts, and most popular in 1970, after adding a female singer, turning frontwoman, Jerney Kaagman.
Not to be confused with Earth, Wind & Fire. Earth and Fire are also the pseudonyms of the owners of Erowid.
Earth and Fire
Netherlands
1968–1983, 1987–1990
Gerard Koerts
Chris Koerts
Hans Ziech
Cees Kalis
Manuela Berloth
Jerney Kaagman
Ton van der Kleij
Theo Hurts
Bert Ruiter
Ab Tamboer
Johan Slager
Ronnie Meyjes
Age Kat
Jons Pistoor
Ton Scherpenzeel
Mark Stoop
Earth and Fire's first eight singles were a practically uninterrupted string of top-5 hits in the Netherlands (1970-1974). Also charting in continental Europe, primarily in neighboring Belgium and Germany, the band never gained much popularity in the United Kingdom or the United States. After moving to pop, their biggest hit was "Weekend" (1979), a number one disco track in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, and Switzerland. American copies were labeled as E & F [Polydor 2118].
History[edit]
Early history: The Singing Twins and The Swinging Strings[edit]
Earth and Fire originated with the brothers Chris and Gerard Koerts from Voorschoten. As "The Singing Twins" they made music for family and friends since 1960, achieving a breakthrough of sorts at a talent show in 1962, at which future bass player Hans Ziech was present—Ziech, at the time, was already interested in rock and roll and thought The Singing Twins a bit on the mild side, Jan & Kjeld-like. In 1963, influenced by beat music, they joined a local beat band, playing mostly instrumental music until early 1965; the Koerts brothers were remembered as musical perfectionists even at an early age. They changed their name to The Swinging Strings in 1965 and began singing and covering hits by the Beatles, the Byrds, and others. They played regularly and saved enough money to buy equipment and add three female dancers. While they played all over the provinces of North and South Holland, they rarely performed in their area as The Hague had its scene of beat bands.[2] By the end of 1966, however, they had won a few talent shows near their hometown, had a fan club with over 250 members, and had drawn the attention of radio DJ Willem van Kooten.[3]