Eelco Gelling

Eelco Gelling
Eelco Gelling in 1968
Background information
Born	(1946-06-12) 12 June 1946 (age 70) Zwartsluis, Netherlands
Genres	Blues rock, jazz fusion, instrumental rock, hard rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1965–present
Labels	Philips, Fontana, Mercury Records, Polydor
Associated acts	Cuby + Blizzards, Golden Earring, Tower, Eelco Gelling Band
Website	Eelco Gelling Band
Notable instruments
1960 Gibson Les Paul Sunburst

Eelco Gelling (born 12 June 1946) is a Dutch blues guitarist. He and Jan Akkerman are stated as the two top notch guitar players from the Netherlands. Gelling played with Cuby + Blizzards (which he co-founded together with Harry Muskee) until 1976.

Cuby + Blizzards (C+B) was founded by Eelco Gelling and Harry Muskee in 1964. Their first single was released in 1965 followed by a string of albums starting in 1966. During his time with Cuby + Blizzards the band became famous in Holland, Germany and the UK. They played, recorded and toured with Eddie Boyd, Van Morrison and Alexis Korner. In 1966 they toured with John Mayall and when Mayall came over to the Netherlands to stay for a couple of days, he asked Gelling to join the Bluesbreakers. Gelling did not agree and stayed with Cuby + Blizzards. The 1969 album Appleknockers Flophouse is considered one of the greatest Dutch Blues albums. The guitarwork rivals that many great players like Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor. The band recorded their last album in 1974, named Het Afscheidsconcert (The Farewell Concert). Harry Muskee and Eelco formed Red, White 'n Blue but after two singles and an album reunited with Herman Brood in 1976 for a short period to record two more Cuby albums Kid Blue and Old times, Good times. In the early 1990s C+B was re-formed this time without Gelling.

In 1977, he joined Golden Earring where he played for several years. He first appeared as a full-fledged member on "Contraband" (released in the U.S. under the title "Mad Love"). Eelco's haunting slide work is highlighted on the tracks "Sueleen" and "Bombay". While out on tour the group recorded it first live album "Golden Earring Live". Eelco helps the group deliver many of their classics including an extended version of the group's smash hit "Radar Love". Gelling also plays on the group's "Grab it for a Second" album. During a tour in the United States he left the band; after discussions about the music style and after his favorite guitar (a Gibson Les Paul) was stolen from a cab in New York, he quit Golden Earring and went back to the Netherlands.