Former Doe Maar drummer Jan Pijnenburg died unexpectedly at age 70 in his home in Spain on Thursday.
The musician, who was a central figure during the Dutch band’s peak in the early 1980s, passed away in his sleep, according to reports from Telegraaf and NOS.
Pijnenburg had been out running errands earlier that day before returning home to rest, at which point he did not wake up, Hart van, Nederland reported.
Pijnenburg Played Drums for Various Bands Before Doe Maar
Born in Vught in late 1955, Pijnenburg grew up in a musical household with two parents who played the piano.
Before his major breakthrough, he played drums for various bands, including Lucifer, Hollander, Sweet d’Buster, Fontessa, and Long Tall Ernie & The Shakers. He also worked on music for Herman Brood and played with The Magnificent Seven.
His first period with the group was marked by a serious car accident occurring shortly after his debut concert, which forced him into months of recovery. He returned to the drum kit in 1983 as part of the lineup including Henny Vrienten, Ernst Jansz, and Jan Hendriks.
Doe Maar became one of the most successful Dutch pop groups of the early 1980s, blending punk, reggae, and ska with hits such as “De Bom,” “Pa,” “Smoorverliefd,” “Doris Day,” and “Een Nacht Alleen.” The band was later recognized with an Edison in 2013 for their musical achievements since 1978, NOS stated.
Pijnenburg maintained a long-standing connection to the group, returning for the 2000 album Klaar and participating in major reunion concerts at Ahoy and De Kuip. He also played during reunion tours, NOS reported. He also collaborated on solo albums with Henny Vrienten. Vrienten, who passed away in April 2022 at age 73, once described Pijnenburg as the funniest and best drummer he had ever worked with, Telegraaf noted.
Life in Andalusia
Around 2000, Pijnenburg moved to Spain with his wife, journalist Angeline van den Berg.
Despite living abroad, Pijnenburg returned to the Netherlands regularly for musical projects. Earlier this year, he spoke with the local radio station ZFM Zandvoort about his career and his life in Spain, and he had also been working on a manuscript, NOS reported.
His friend, the singer Harry Niehof, confirmed the news of his death to the ANP. Niehof described Pijnenburg as an exceptionally musical and thoughtful man, NOS reported.