Jan Pijnenburg, Doe Maar Drummer Behind ‘4us’ and ‘1 nacht alleen,’ Dies at 70

Jan Pijnenburg, the drummer who anchored Doe Maar through the Dutch band's early-1980s peak, died unexpectedly on November 12 in Spain. He was 70.

As part of Doe Maar's best-known lineup — alongside Henny Vrienten, Ernst Jansz and Jan Hendriks — Pijnenburg drove the band's blend of ska, reggae, punk and pop. That sound made Doe Maar the biggest Dutch-language band of the early 1980s, with screaming teenage fans following them across the country.

How did Pijnenburg join Doe Maar?

Pijnenburg was born on December 29, 1955, in Vught, in the southern Netherlands. His connection to Doe Maar predates the band itself. In 1978 he rehearsed Ernst Jansz's songs with Jansz and bassist Piet Dekker — but when the pair left the practice room to form a full band, Pijnenburg chose not to go with them. Carel Copier took the drum stool instead.

The story came full circle in 1982, when Pijnenburg stepped in to replace René van Collem. His timing could not have been better. Doe Maar had just broken through with 'Doris Day en andere stukken,' and their popularity was about to hit fever pitch.

What did he record with the band?

Pijnenburg played on the band's fourth album, '4us,' released in March 1983. That record produced the singles "Pa" and "1 nacht alleen" — the latter still a radio staple in the Netherlands. He was behind the kit on Doe Maar's first tour of Belgium in September 1983, and the double live album 'Lijf aan lijf,' released at the end of that year, captured the electricity of those shows with Pijnenburg driving the rhythm.

In 1984, at the very peak of their success, Doe Maar released the single "Macho" and decided to call it a day. They said farewell with two concerts at the Maaspoort in Den Bosch, later released as a live album in 1995.

What does his career add up to?

Fifteen years after the split, Doe Maar reunited, and Pijnenburg returned to the drums for a run of 16 concerts that drew 175,000 fans. Those shows included dates at Rotterdam Ahoy, captured on the live album 'Hees van Ahoy.' He also played on the band's 2000 studio album, 'Klaar,' which featured the singles "Als niet als" — a collaboration with rapper Brainpower — and "Watje." He rejoined the band once more for their 2008 reunion.

Beyond Doe Maar, Pijnenburg played with the Dutch bands Lucifer and Long Tall Ernie and the Shakers.

From a young drummer in Vught who once said no to joining Doe Maar, Pijnenburg became the heartbeat of the band's golden era. Whenever "1 nacht alleen" plays on Dutch radio, his rhythm is still keeping the country dancing.