My name is Willem Perrels, born in Uithoorn in September 1950. My first drumming experience was at a school party in the early 60s, when I playbacked, the song 36-24-36 by The Shadows (also known as the opening tune of the legendary Dutch tv programme TOP or FLOP) behind a drum set made of cardboard. It really felt like I was Brian Bennett. Shortly after that I bought my first drum kit. It was an unkown Japanese brand called Pearl. Most of the drummers at that time thought this kit was rubbish but I was very pleased with it (and nowadays many drummers around the world, still are). Soon I started taking drumming lessons from Willem Roosendaal (who played with Johnny Kendall & The Heralds). My favourite drummers of those days were Brian Bennett (The Shadows) and Bobby Elliott (The Hollies).

 From 1965 till 1975 I played in various bands. I stopped for approximately 5 years because I got too busy working for IBM computers. In the early 80s, my brother-in-law took me to a pub called ‘Eigenwijs’ (english translation: Stiff-necked) in Utrecht to attend a jam session. The drumming virus got me again!

A week later I bought a new drum kit (TAMA Superstar) and from that moment on I have played various music styles (from Soca / Biggie Pokoe to Pop, New Wave, Disco and Reggae) and in several bands. A couple of years ago I ran into Rob and Diederick at various jam sessions. Since Rob and Diederick were totally crazy about Beatles music they came up with the idea to starting (in addition to our regular bands) a Beatles project. As a true Rolling Stones fan at heart I had to get used to play the songs of their biggest competitors but after a while I got used to it (also to the unorthodox drum patterns that Ringo plays).

Last but certainly not least I really enjoy playing with Rob, Diederick and Pim in our Beatles Tribute Band. It’s great fun!