De Toppers (Dutch pronunciation: [də ˈtɔpərs]), also known internationally as the Toppers, is a Dutch supergroup, consisting of René Froger, Gerard Joling, Jeroen van der Boom and Jan Smit. Gordon Heuckeroth, one of the founding members, left the group in 2011. The group has performed a series of concerts every year since 2005 in the Johan Cruyff Arena. Their repertoire consists mainly of a mix of covers and original material. Toppers in Concert, with more than 40 sold-out shows, is the longest running concert series in the Benelux. In 2008, the Toppers were selected to represent the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 held in Moscow, Russia, with the song "Shine".[1] They failed to qualify for the final.

De Toppers
Jeroen van der Boom, René Froger and Gordon Heuckeroth in 2009
Background information
Also known asThe Toppers
OriginNetherlands
Genres
Years active2005–present
LabelsEMI
MembersJeroen van der Boom
Gerard Joling
René Froger
Jan Smit
Past membersGordon Heuckeroth
Websitewww.toppersinconcert.nl

History

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Opening Toppers in Concert 2015

Gerard Joling and Gordon Heuckeroth formed as a guest band in a Rene Froger concert, which turned into a successful concert series. In 2005, the first two concerts were held at the Johan Cruyff Arena. In 2008, Joling left the Toppers and was replaced by Jeroen van der Boom. In 2010, Joling re-joined the group. They performed as a quartet before Heuckeroth departed in 2011.

In September 2016, Jan Smit stated he was interested in joining the group. A few hours later, van der Boom posted a video on Facebook[2] of himself and Joling "auditioning" to join the band. Smit's addition was formally announced on February 21, 2017.[3]

In 2017, the Toppers received a Special Achievement Award, selling more than 1.5 million copies of Toppers in Concert (CD + DVD). During the 2018 edition, they broke the world record in Canon Singing with 198.000 spectators during three concerts.[citation needed]

Toppers in Concert

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Johan Cruyff Arena

Toppers in Concert is an annual Dutch concert series by the Toppers, held in the Johan Cruyff Arena since 2005. Toppers in Concert is the longest running concert series in the Benelux. At the tenth edition in 2014, De Toppers welcomed their two millionth concert visitor. In 2016, the Toppers presented their first Christmas edition of Toppers in Concert in Rotterdam Ahoy.[citation needed]

Members

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2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Timeline

Concerts

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Season Formation Date Theme Visitors Location
2005 René Gerard Gordon 13 & 14 May Live In The Round 120,000 Johan Cruyff Arena
2006 26, 27 & 28 May The Largest Friendstemple 180,000
2007 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 & 8 June Disco & Future 360,000
2008 23, 24 & 27 May Glitter And Glamour 160,000
2009 Jeroen 12 & 13 June Toppers Anniversary 2009 120,000
2010 Gerard 20, 21 & 22 May Welcome To Heaven 180,000
2011 27, 28 & 29 May The Royal Party For Kings And Queens 200,000
2012 17, 18 & 19 May The Love Boat Edition 200,000
2013 24, 25 & 26 May 1001 Night Edition 204,698
2014 24, 29, 30 & 31 May 10 Years Toppers Made in Holland 270,000
2015 23, 24, 29, 30 & 31 May Crazy Summer Edition 340,000
2016 13, 14 & 15 May Royal Night of Disco 210,000
2016 10, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24 December Christmas Party of the Year - 12.5 anniversary 85,000 Rotterdam Ahoy
2017 26 & 27 May Wild West, Home Best 132,000 Johan Cruyff Arena
2018 Jan 25, 26 & 27 May Pretty in Pink, The Circus Edition 198,000
2019 31 May & 1 June Happy Birthday Party - 'The Best of' Jubileum Editie 130,000
2022 18, 19 & 20 November Happy Together - The Flower Power Edition -
Total: 17 editions Total: 56 concerts Total: 2,614,698 visitors

Work

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Toppers in Concert DVDs

Albums

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Album title Release date Charting in the Dutch Album Top 100 Comments
Date of entry Highest Weeks
Toppers in concert 02-07-2005 09-07-2005 3 39 Platinum
Toppers in concert 2006 30-06-2006 08-07-2006 2 26 Platinum
Kerst met De Toppers 2006 - 10× Platinum
Toppers in concert 2007 11-07-2007 21-07-2007 1(1wk) 19 Platinum
Toppers in concert 2008 01-08-2008 09-08-2008 2 17 Platinum
Toppers in concert 2009 28-08-2009 05-09-2009 4 10 Platinum
Toppers in concert 2010 20-08-2010 21-08-2010 2 17 Platinum
Mega party mix - Volume 1 20-05-2011 28-05-2011 7 13
Toppers in concert 2011 02-09-2011 10-09-2011 1(1wk) 23 Platinum
Mega party mix - Volume 2 09-03-2012 17-03-2012 19 9
Toppers in concert 2012 07-09-2012 15-09-2012 2 24 3-CD, Platinum
Toppers in concert 2013 05-10-2013 12-10-2013 19 14 Platinum
Toppers in concert 2014 22-08-2014 30-08-2014 2 25 3-CD, Gold
Toppers in concert 2015 28-08-2015 05-09-2015 1(2wk) 20 3-CD, Gold
Toppers in concert 2016 26-08-2016 03-09-2016 3 10* 3-CD

Singles

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Single title Release date Charting in the Dutch Top 40 Comments
Date of entry Highest Weeks
Live at the ArenA 2004 04-12-2004 5 8 No. 3 in the Single Top 100
Over de top! 12-04-2005 30-04-2005 22 5 No. 6 in the Single Top 100
Toppers party! 2005 16-07-2005 tip5 - No. 32 in the Single Top 100
Wir sind die Holländer 2006 03-06-2006 18 5 as "Toppers voor Oranje" /
No. 7 in the Single Top 100
Can you feel it? 11-06-2007 16-06-2007 8 5 with John Marks /
No. 10 in the Single Top 100
Shine 16-02-2009 07-03-2009 15 8 No. 2 in the Single Top 100
1001 Nacht 05-04-2013 20-04-2013 tip9 - No. 13 in the Single Top 100
Other singles Date of appearance Date of entry Highest position Number of weeks Comments
Toppers Meezing Kerstmedley 2006 - - - Album: Kerst met De Toppers
Sleigh Ride 2006 - - - Album: Kerst met De Toppers
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 2006 - - - Album: Kerst met De Toppers
It May Be Winter Outside 2006 - - - Album: Kerst met De Toppers
All I Want For Christmas Is You 2006 - - - Album: Kerst met De Toppers
Do They Know It's Christmas 2006 - - - Album: Kerst met De Toppers
Our Night 2009 - - - Nationaal Songfestival / 6th place NSF
No One Loves Me Like You 2009 - - - Nationaal Songfestival / 3rd place NSF
Angel Of The Night 2009 - - - Nationaal Songfestival / 2nd place NSF
Everybody Can Be A Star 2009 - - - Nationaal Songfestival / 5th place NSF
Three Is The Magic Number 2009 - - - Nationaal Songfestival / 4th place NSF
Higher 2011 - - - Toppers in concert 2011
Topper Van Je Eigen Leven 2012 - - - Toppers in concert 2012
Moves Like Toppers 2012 - - - Toppers in concert 2012
Wat Ben Je Zonder Vrienden 2015 - - - Toppers in concert 2015
Een heel gelukkig kerstfeest 2016 - - - Toppers in concert - Christmas party of the year

DVDs

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  • Toppers In Concert 2005 - Gold / Platinum
  • Toppers In Concert 2006 - Gold / Platinum
  • Toppers In Concert 2007 - Gold / Platinum
  • Toppers In Concert 2008 - Gold / Platinum
  • Toppers In Concert 2009 - Gold / Platinum
  • Toppers In Concert 2010 - Gold / Platinum
  • Toppers In Concert 2011 - Gold / Platinum
  • Toppers In Concert 2012 - Gold / Platinum
  • Toppers In Concert 2013 - Gold / Platinum
  • Toppers In Concert 2014 - Gold
  • Toppers In Concert 2015 - Gold
  • Toppers In Concert 2016 - Platinum

Filmography

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  • Froger, Joling & Gordon: Over de Toppers - Reality television
  • Toppers in de Sneeuw - Reality television
  • Kerst met De Toppers in Disneyland - TV Special
  • Toppers: De weg naar de ArenA - Reality television
  • Toppers: De weg naar de ArenA 2007 - Reality television
  • Toppers op weg naar Moskou - Reality television
  • Goede tijden, slechte tijden - Cameo appearance
  • Nationaal Songfestival (2009)
  • Eurovision Song Contest 2009
  • Wie wordt de 5e Topper? - Talentshow
  • Toppers Halftimeshow - Talentshow
  • Toppers Meezingmarathon - Toppers Marathon Series
  • 12,5 Jaar De Toppers - Reality television
  • De Toppers: Wild West, Thuis Best - Reality television
  • Topper Gezocht! - Talentshow

References

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  1. ^ The (De) Toppers to Eurovision Archived 2008-09-20 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Jeroen van der Boom". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
  3. ^ "JAN SMIT NIEUWE TOPPER FORMATIE TOPPERS IN CONCERT". VOSOUND (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-01-17.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest
2009
Succeeded by