Q & A
EDWARD REEKERS
Former Kayak vocalist discusses working with Meat Loaf, lending his voice to the Dutch Harry Potter and getting to grips with his ambitious new rock opera.
Words: Dave Ling Portrait: Melody Reekers
The Dutch singer and composer broke all the rules when he not only met but worked with one of his favourite bands. Edward Reekers joined Kayak in 1978, staying put until 1982, before returning in 2003, and then again for a third spell in 2005 that ran for eight more years. His final departure from the group was rather sudden, but paved the way for him to record his fourth solo record – and first in 15 years – adouble rock opera affair called The Liberty Project with an all-star cast that includes Steve Hackett, Arjen Lucassen and Damian Wilson.
You joined Kayak for the first time in 1978, when Max Werner no longer wanted to be the singer and in a ‘reverse Phil Collins scenario’ demanded to be switched to drums. Unusual circumstances for sure, but was it awkward?