Teach-In (band)

The group had been formed in 1969 in Enschede. The first lineup: Hilda Felix (vocals), Henk Westendorp (vocals, later in Superfly), John Snuverink (vocals, guitar), Frans Schaddelee (bass), leader Koos Versteeg (vocals & keys) en Rudi Nijhuis (drums). One of the first songs (label CBS records) ever recorded by the group was "Spoke the Lord Creator" (originally by Focus). In 1972, only Koos and Rudi remained in the group, and the rest of the band comprised this: Getty Kaspers (vocals, in 1976 solo as Getty), John Gaasbeek (bass, already in 1964 in the Stora Combo (later known as Orkest Freddie Golden), left in 1976 also), Chris de Wolde (guitar) and Ard Weeink (also until 1976).

New members in 1976: Hans Nijland (bass, in 1977 replaced by Nick de Vos), Betty Vermeulen (vocals), Marianne Wolsink (vocals, ex-Head). In 1975, Teach-In participated in the Eurovision Song Contest and won.[4] Teach-In broke Eurovision convention that favours songs performing later in the program by winning the contest despite performing first. This was a first for the competition and was repeated a year later by Brotherhood of Man in the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest. This feat has only been repeated by one further act; Herreys in 1984.

Teach-In were Getty Kaspers, Chris de Wolde, Ard Weenink, Koos Versteeg, John Gaasbeek and Ruud Nijhuis. The band was formed in 1967, with a different line up as in 1975. Singer Getty joined the band in 1971, when they got their first recording contract with producer and composer Eddy Ouwens (label CNR records).

In 1974 the band had three top 15 hits in the Netherlands, one of which, "In the Summernight" reached number 5 in South Africa,[5] after which their Eurovision entry was recorded. "Ding-a-dong" won, which resulted in a chart entry in nearly every European country, as well as a #22 placing in the US on the Easy Listening chart. Getty Kaspers left the group in early 1976, after the release of the single Rose Valley, and was replaced by Betty Vermeulen & Marianne Wolsink. Teach-In toured Europe for the next two years, but the success took its toll when the band split up in 1978. In 1979 Ruud Nijhuis and Koos Versteeg reformed the band, this time with two new female singers. After three more hits the group split up again. In 1997, news came that the original line up (with Getty Kaspers) had re-recorded some of their old hits and had plans to tour again.

After Teach-In split up, two of the group, Getty and John Gaasbeek, joined by Wilma van Diepen, formed the Balloon trio. Later on, Getty tried a solo career recording a couple of discs including the Getty Album (features De Eerste Liefde is Een Feest with lyrics in Dutch, originally När du tar mig i din famn/The Queen of Hearts by Agnetha Fältskog in Swedish and English). Her vocals can also be heard on Rick van der Linden's Cum Laude album and on recordings made by Radio Veronica.

The band reunited to sing "Ding-a-Dong" at a show in Maastricht on 31 August 2007.

• 1974 Roll Along [CNR records]
• 1975 Festival [CNR]
• 1975 Get On Board [CNR]
• 1977 See the Sun [Negram]
• 1979 Teach In (Greenpeace) [CNR]

• 1971 "Spoke the Lord Creator (Chorale St. Anthony's)" b/w "Darkness of Life" [CBS]
• 1971 "Can't Be So Bad" b/w "Take me to the Water" [CBS]
• 1972 "So Easy to Sing (Cord di Schiavi Ebrei)" b/w "My Name is Honey" [CBS]
• 1974 "Fly Away" b/w "Bye Bye Bye" [CNR; Metronome in Germany; Philips in the UK]
• 1974 "In the Summernight" b/w "Old Friend Goodbye" [CNR; Metronome in Germany; Polydor in the UK]
• 1974 "Tennessee Town" b/w "There Ain't No Time" [CNR]
• 1975 "Dinge-Dong" (Nederlandse) b/w "Ik Heb Geen Geld Voor de Trein" [CNR]
• 1975 "Ding-a-Dong" (Deutsche) b/w "Hey-Hello" (Germany only release) [Telefunken]
• 1975 "Ding-a-Dong" b/w "The Circus Show" [CNR]
• 1975 "Ding-a-Dong" b/w "Let me In" (re-issue to commemorate winning Eurovision '75) [Philips; Telefunken in Germany; Vogue in France; Polydor in the UK & USA]
• 1975 "Goodbye Love" b/w "Sailor Man" [CNR; Telefunken in Germany]
• 1975 "Rose Valley" b/w "La La Love Song" [CNR; Telefunken in Germany]
• 1976 "Upside Down" b/w "Please Come Home" [Negram; EMI in the UK & Germany]
• 1977 "A Ride in the Night" b/w "Wonderful Feeling" [Negram International; EMI in Germany]
• 1977 "See the Sun" b/w "All Around" [Negram International; EMI in Germany]
• 1977 "(Do You Wanna Play) My Rock and Roll Song" b/w "Our Story" [Negram International; EMI in Germany]
• 1978 "Dear John" b/w "Instrumental John" [CNR; Carrere in France & the UK]
• 1979 "The Robot" b/w "Well Comeback" [CNR; Carrere in France]
• 1979 "Greenpeace" (English version) b/w "Greenpeace" (Nederlandse versie) [CNR]
• 1980 "Regrets" b/w "Things We Say" [CBS]
• 1980 "Bad Day" b/w "I Wish You All the Luck" [CBS]