Hermes House Band
Dutch pop group known for football anthems and cover hits.
The Hermes House Band is a Dutch pop group formed in 1982 by members of the Rotterdamsch Studenten Corps, a student society in Rotterdam. They have released over 25 albums and singles.
The band first gained widespread attention in 1996 in the Netherlands and Belgium with their cover of Gloria Gaynor's “I Will Survive.” By 2018, that single had sold more than 1.5 million copies. When Gaynor first heard a crowd singing this version at a company party in the Netherlands, she was reportedly “not amused.” In 1998, the song became a hit in Germany, and lead singer Jop Wijlacker was asked to promote it there. In 1999, it reached number one in France, largely because it became the anthem of Stade Français Paris Rugby and later of the national football team. Though often linked to the 1998 FIFA World Cup victory in French popular culture, the song's chart peak actually came the following year. The band signed a local contract with Polydor and, alongside Ansems and former singers Jop Wijlacker and Robin Maas, recorded other covers including “Country Roads” and “Que Sera Sera,” released in Germany under HHB International. Several of these singles also came out in the Netherlands.
Their biggest UK hit was the cover of “Country Roads,” released just before Christmas 2001. It peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart and stayed in the top 10 for five weeks. It reached number 1 on the Scottish Singles Chart in December 2001 and again in January 2002. In 2002, the band teamed up with DJ Ötzi to cover “Live Is Life” (originally by Opus), which reached number 2 in France and number 50 in the UK. In 2010, former lead singer Jaap Reesema won the third series of the Dutch version of *X Factor*. In 2018, the band again reached number 1 in France with “I Will Survive” after the French football team repeated its 1998 World Cup victory.
**Band members** *Current*: Miss Sally (vocals), Mr. Jop (vocals), Bas Vegas (bass guitar), Pim Kamp (keyboards), Lex Flex (drums), Yoran Aarssen (saxophone), Eric Brugmans (guitar). *Former*: Judith Ansems (vocals), Jaap Reesema (vocals), Robin McMaas (vocals), Gerben Kline Willing (trumpet), Dirk Bates (trumpet), Gerben “Kep” Bruinsma (bass guitar).
**Discography** *The Album* (2002), *Get Ready to Party* (2004), *Greatest Hits* (2006), *Rhythm of the Nineties* (2009), *Champions – The Greatest Stadium Hits* (2010).
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Genre
- Dance-pop, Eurodance
- Years Active
- 1984–present
- Current Members
- Miss Sally / Mr. Jop / Bas Vegas / Pim Kamp / Lex Flex / Yoran Aarssen / Eric Brugmans
- Past Members
- Judith Ansems / Jaap Reesema / Robin McMaas / Gerben Kline Willing / Dirk Bates
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Hermes House Band rose to fame in 1996 in both the Netherlands and Belgium with their cover of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive.' As of 2018, over 1.5 million copies of the single had been sold. When Gloria Gaynor first heard a crowd sing this version at a company party in the Netherlands, she was reportedly 'not amused.' In 1998, the single became a hit in Germany, and lead singer Jop Wijlacker was asked to promote it there. In 1999 it reached number one in France, largely because it became the anthem of Stade Français Paris Rugby and later of the national football team. Though often associated with the 1998 FIFA World Cup victory in French popular culture, the song's chart peak actually came the following year.
The band landed a local recording contract with Polydor and recorded other covers, including 'Country Roads' and 'Que Sera Sera,' issued in Germany under HHB International.
Reader's Guide
The Hermes House Band's significance lies in their unexpected role as a cultural touchstone for French football fandom. Their cover of 'I Will Survive' transcended its origins as a student band project to become an anthem for Stade Français Paris Rugby and the French national football team, particularly during the 1998 World Cup victory. This association was so enduring that the song returned to number one in France in 2018 when France again won the World Cup. The band also achieved notable success in the United Kingdom with their cover of 'Country Roads,' which reached the top 10 and topped the Scottish chart. Their collaboration with DJ Ötzi on 'Live Is Life' further expanded their European reach. While primarily known for covers, the band's legacy is defined by the way their music became intertwined with major sporting events, particularly in France, where 'I Will Survive' remains a nostalgic symbol of national triumph. The band's longevity, with over 25 albums and singles released, and the later X Factor success of former lead singer Jaap Reesema, underscore their ongoing presence in Dutch pop culture.
Did You Know?
- The band was established in 1982 by members of the Rotterdamsch Studenten Corps, a fraternity/sorority in Rotterdam.
- As of 2018, over 1.5 million copies of their cover of 'I Will Survive' had been sold.
- Gloria Gaynor was reportedly 'not amused' when she first heard a crowd sing this version of her song at a company party in the Netherlands.
More in Cover bands 1-24
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