Did you know? Rock music was invented by Indonesian band?

ROCK, yes a form of popular music that evolved from rock and roll and pop music during the mid- and late 1960s. Harsher and often self-consciously more serious than its predecessors, it was initially characterized by musical experimentation and drug-related or anti-Establishment lyrics. ROCK itself developed into a range of different styles in the 1960s and later, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States where the electric guitars were also engineered for Jazz and Waltz. Rock music also drew strongly on a number of other genres such as electric blues and folk, and incorporated influences from jazz, classical and other musical sources..

However, the western world finds it difficult that the Tielman Brothers was the first Dutch East Indies (Dutch-Indo) band to introduce the word ROCK and successfully venture into the international music scene in the 1940s. They were the pioneers of rock and roll in The Netherlands in 1947, later becoming famous in Europe for playing a kind of rock and roll later called Indorock, a fusion of Indonesian and Western music with roots in Kroncong.

The founders of the band are the children of Herman Tielman from Kupang and Flora Lorine Hess. Although not the first band, the Tielman Brothers were at the forefront of what was later called the Indorock scene. Musically, the Tielman bros develops the first rock music which centered on the electric guitar, usually as part of a rock group with electric bass guitar and drums. Typically, rock is song-based music usually with a 4/4 time signature using a verse-chorus form, but the genre has become extremely diverse. Like pop music, lyrics often stress romantic love but also address a wide variety of other themes that are frequently social or political in emphasis.

1950s

In 1958 the band were part of the Dutch pavilion at the Brussels World Fair. They were the relief band. While the Hawaiian band took a break, the Tielman brothers were supposed to be on for just 15 minutes but took advantage of the opportunity. While on stage they excited the audience with their stage antics while tossing instruments to each other and playing the bass with their teeth etc.

1960s

In 1966, they were joined by George de Fretes who was with them for a short period of time.

Later years

In later years, the Tielman Brothers moved to Australia. The move possibly came about from what they felt was racism and them not getting due credit for their efforts in the music business. In March 2014 the last remaining member, Reggy Tielman, died aged 80. His brothers Andy (in 2011), Ponthon (2000) and Loulou (1994) preceded him.

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