This Dutch hard rock act was a vehicle for the talents of
Adrian Vandenberg formed by the experienced guitarist after the collapse of his previous band,
Teaser, and an unsuccessful spell rehearsing with
Thin Lizzy. The group, rounded out by
Bert Heerink (vocals),
Dick Kemper (bass; ex-Turbo) and
Jos Zoomer (drums), quickly signed to Atlantic on the strength of an impressive demo, enabling
Vandenberg to give up the session work and super-realist art that had financially supported him. The self-produced
Vandenberg had a heavy sound reminiscent of
the Scorpions and
Judas Priest, and contained sparkling performances from
Vandenberg and
Zoomer. The former’s songwriting and guitar playing, compared at the time to
Michael Schenker's, interested
David Coverdale, who twice asked the guitarist to join
Whitesnake. However, with the album and "Burning Heart" single enjoying considerable success in the U.S.,
Vandenberg declined.
Heading for a Storm benefited from the band’s wider experience, with
Heerink particularly improved, but it failed to maintain the previous momentum of the band's U.S. success, despite a tour supporting
Kiss.
Alibi, however, saw the band regain much of their lost ground with better production and more fiery fretwork from
Vandenberg, but the departure of
Heerink the following year for
Picture unfortunately signaled a downward slide for the band, which dissolved in 1987 when
Vandenberg finally accepted an offer from the persistent
Coverdale.
Three compilations were released after their demise. In 2020,
Adrian Vandenberg announced that he was leading a new formation of the group and releasing a new album.
2020 was released that year and hit the charts, making it the most successful
Vandenberg album ever. ~ TiVo Staff