The Kilima Hawaiians were a well known and popular Dutch Hawaiian music group who had a hit with "Er hangt een Paardenhoofdstel aan de Muur" / "Es hängt ein Pferdehalfter an der Wand". Some of the steel guitarists that played with them were Rudi Wairata, Coy Pereira and Frans Doolaard.

Kilima Hawaiians
The Kilima Hawaiians at
De bonte dinsdagavondtrein [nl]
Background information
OriginThe Netherlands
GenresHawaiian music
Years active1934 - 199?
Labels777, CBS

Background

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The group was led and founded by Bill Buijsman in 1934, and started out as the Kilima Trio.[1][2] With the growing popularity of Hawaiian music in post-war Holland they were considered the rage.[3]

1950s

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In 1953, they had a no 1 hit in Germany with "Es hängt ein Pferdehalfter an der Wand".[4][5] Buijsman wrote the song "Cowboys Wiegenlied" which was the single's B side.[6]

In 1958, Indonesian steel guitarist Wairata joined the group. During his time with them, he recorded "Whistling Guitar", which featured Wairata making bird sound effects with his steel guitar.[7] His Ambonese background was said to be an influence on the group's sound.[8]

1960s

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In 1960, the group was doing quite well with their German tour, performing at American service bases. Wairata decided to leave the group and remain in Germany.[9] He was replaced by Coy Pereira who remained with the group for a while and made some recordings with them. But he left to take up an office position in Rotterdam. Pereira was replaced by Frans Doolaard who would remain with them for three years.[10]

In late 1960, they were signed to Lambertus B. de Jonge's new 777 record label.[11] Their 1965 album Farewell Hawaii received a favorable review from Billboard with their adding a pop sound to the music.[12][13]

In 1967, Pereira rejoined the group.[14]

In 1968, their album Rhythm of the Islands was released by CBS Holland.[15]

1970s

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As of 1977, they were said to be the longest running Hawaiian music ensemble in the world. Around that time the line up included Bill Buysman, Mary Buysman Coen Van Nassau, Wim Van Herpen, Coy Pereira and Luut Buysman.[16][17]

Members

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Rudi Wairata died in Rotterdam in 1981.[18] Bill Buijsman died in 1991 and Mary Mary Buijsman died in 2002.[19] Coy Pereira died on April 12, 2005, aged 86.[20] The last surviving member, Vic Spangenberg, who joined the group in 1938, died at the age of 94 in Alkmaar on April 30, 2016.[21]

Members

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  • Bill Buijsman - guitar
  • Mary Buijsman - vocals, ukulele
  • Luut Buijsman - vocals, guitar
  • Coy Pereira - lap steel guitar
  • Frans Van Oirschot guitar, pedal steel
  • Willem Ruivenkamp - ?
  • Jo De Gast - lap steel
  • Theo Ehrlicher - laps steel
  • Rudi Wairata - lap steel
  • Vic Spangenberg - lap steel
  • Frans Doolaard - pedal steel
  • Wim van Herpen - bass guitar[22]
  • Bob van Maaren - ukulele

References

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  1. ^ Mixedworldmusic.com The Kilima Hawaiians, pioniers van de Nederhawaiian
  2. ^ International History of the Recording Industry Pekka Gronow, Ilpo Saunio Page 32 Honolulu Moon
  3. ^ Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling Around the World Bart Plantenga Lowland Yodeling: The Highs Of The Lows, The Netherlands
  4. ^ Mixedworldmusic.com The Kilima Hawaiians, pioniers van de Nederhawaiian
  5. ^ Deutsche Musik-Charts 1954 Manfred J. Franz Page 24 Hits des monats 1953
  6. ^ Discogs Kilima Hawaiians* – Es Hängt Ein Pferdehalfter An Der Wand
  7. ^ Dutch Exotica Artists, 12. Rudi Wairata & The Kilima Hawaiians - Whistling Guitar Archived 2016-02-10 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Concertzender Friday 6 November 2015 HAWAIIAN MUSIC (Part 14) 2 5 Y e a r s T H E K I L I M A H A W A I I A N S with RUDI WAIRATA
  9. ^ The Waikiki Islanders Rudi Wairata Page 2
  10. ^ The Hawaiian Music Foundation VOL. I NO. 8 August 1975 The Kilima Hawaiians page 2
  11. ^ The Billboard November 21, 1960 Page 60 German Newsnotes: Southern Germany
  12. ^ Billboard January 30, 1965 Page 30 Album Reviews (continued)
  13. ^ Billboard January 30, 1965 Page 36 Album Reviews* Continued from page 30
  14. ^ Pedalpro.co.uk News, Amsterdam, Hawaiian Steel Guitar Player Coy Pereira passed away by Alexander Zaalberg Archived 2015-12-24 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Billboard May 11, 1968 Page 48 International News Reports, From The Music Capitals of the World, Amsterdam
  16. ^ The Hawaiian Music Foundation Volume III, no 8. August 1977 Page 4
  17. ^ The Hawaiian Music Foundation Volume III, no 8. August 1977 Page 5
  18. ^ Lass dich überraschen : niederländische Unterhaltungskünstler in Deutschland nach 1945 Ingo Schiweck Page 55
  19. ^ NLDiscografie.nl Kilima Hawaiians
  20. ^ Pedalpro.co.uk News, Amsterdam, Hawaiian Steel Guitar Player Coy Pereira passed away by Alexander Zaalberg Archived 2015-12-24 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Vic Spangenberg overleden (in Dutch)
  22. ^ Muziek Encyclopedie Kilima Hawaiians
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