Kees Verlaar is a Dutch rock singer and songwriter known for his powerful vocals and anthemic, guitar-driven sound. Hailing from Rotterdam, he achieved notable success in the Benelux region with his 2012 album "Horizon," which spawned several radio hits and reached the Top 20 of the Dutch album charts.
Born in 1978, Verlaar began his musical journey in the late 1990s fronting various local rock bands in the Rotterdam scene. His professional breakthrough came after signing with independent label V2 Records Benelux in 2005, which led to the release of his debut solo album "Starting Point" in 2007.
Verlaar's major breakthrough arrived in 2012 with his sophomore album "Horizon." The lead single "Carry On" received heavy rotation on Dutch rock radio stations, propelling the album to number 18 on the MegaCharts and earning a gold certification for sales in the Netherlands.
Carry On — This soaring rock anthem served as the lead single from "Horizon" and became Verlaar's signature track on Dutch radio.
Broken Wings — A powerful ballad that showcased Verlaar's vocal range and became a staple in his live performances.
Against the Tide — Featured on the "Horizon" album, this track exemplifies his blend of melodic hooks with gritty rock instrumentation.
Starting Over — The lead single from his 2016 album "Resilient," marking a successful return after a brief hiatus.
Following the success of "Horizon," Kees Verlaar toured extensively and released the album "Resilient" in 2016. He has collaborated with notable European producers like Oscar Holleman and shared stages with international acts such as Gotthard and John Corabi, solidifying his reputation as a formidable live performer.
Fans of Kees Verlaar's brand of accessible, guitar-centric rock often appreciate the work of similar Dutch artists. Kensington shares a knack for crafting anthemic rock songs with broad appeal. De Wolff delivers a similar blend of classic rock influence with modern Dutch lyrical sensibility. The melodic approach of DI-RECT also resonates with Verlaar's audience, particularly in their energetic live shows.
Kees Verlaar's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on classic rock FM stations and alternative rock radio stations across the Netherlands and Belgium. His tracks are regularly featured in the playlists of online rock radio streams that champion European rock talent, ensuring his anthems reach a dedicated audience.
Listeners can discover the driving rock sound of Kees Verlaar through the various radio stations available on onairium.com, where his catalog of melodic rock hits remains in regular rotation.
