Hank the Knife and the Jets

Hank the Knife and the Jets was a Dutch rock and roll band, most famous for its hit single "Guitar King".

Hank the Knife and the Dukes
GenresRock and roll revival
Years active1974–
Past members
  • Henk Bruysten (vocals, bass)
  • Alan Pierre Beek (d. 2009) (vocals, guitar)
  • Jan van Haaften (vocals, guitar)
  • Rob Mijnhart (drums)
  • Hans van Geffen (d. 2006) (guitar)

History

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The band was founded in 1974 in Arnhem by bassist Henk Bruysten, who had recently left Long Tall Ernie and the Shakers, as Moment Darling, and the band changed its name to Hank the Knife and the Jets that same year. The line-up at that time consisted of Henk Bruysten, Alan Pierre Beek, Jan van Haaften, Rob Mijnhart, and Hans van Geffen (guitar).[1]

The band had its greatest success in its home country, recording five top 40 hits on the Dutch singles charts between 1975 and 1980, including the number 1 hit "Stan the Gunman".

The band performed "Guitar King" on the 22 September 1977 edition of Top of the Pops,[2] although the single did not make the UK singles charts - it was number 9 in the Star Breakers chart (for songs "bubbling under" outside the official top 50) for the week ending 24 September 1977.[3]

As at 2024, the band still existed, but with only Henk Bruysten remaining of its founding members.[4]

Chart appearances

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Albums

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Year Song NL[5] DE[6]
1975 Guitar King 39
1980 Crazy Guitar[7] 45
2018 The Golden Years of Dutch Pop Music 95
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

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Year Song NL[8] BE[9] DE[10] UK
1975 "Guitar King" 2 3 4 59
1975 "Stan the Gunman" 1 8 9
1976 "Yesterday Star" 14 38
1976 "Crazy Cat" 31
1980 "Crazy Guitar"[11] 8 9
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References

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  1. ^ "Band Archief". official website. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  2. ^ "22/09/77". BBC. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Star Breakers". Music Week. 24 September 1977.
  4. ^ "Band". official website. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Hank the Knife and the Jets". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Hank the Knife and the Jets". Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  7. ^ As Hank the Knife & the Crazy Cats
  8. ^ "Hank the Knife and the Jets". top 40 hitlisten. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Hank the Knife". ultratop.be. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  10. ^ Ehnert, Günter (2000). Deutsche Chart Singles 1956–1980. Germany: Taurus Press. p. 100.
  11. ^ As Hank the Knife & the Crazy Cats