Bennie Jolink to receive Hollandse Meester lifetime achievement award

Bennie Jolink, the frontman of the rock band Normaal, has been awarded the Hollandse Meester lifetime achievement award for his long-standing contribution to Dutch music culture. The announcement was made by Frank Helmink, director of Buma Cultuur, in Hummelo.

Jolink is recognized as a defining figure in Dutch pop music, particularly for his role in pioneering dialect rock. After the band Normaal was formed in 1973, Jolink transitioned to singing in his regional Achterhoeks dialect in 1975, leading to a major breakthrough with the 1977 hit ‘Oerend Hard’.

The award will be officially presented on September 28 during the Buma NL Awards at Poppodium 013 in Tilburg. The ceremony will be hosted by Roxeanne Hazes.