Robert Jan Stips

Robert Jan Stips is a Dutch musician born in The Hague, 4 February 1950. He initially found fame as a keyboard player, arranger, and producer with the group Supersister. This led to an invitation to join Golden Earring, one of the most successful Dutch groups of the time. In 1975 Stips appeared on the group's follow-up to their smash hit Moontan. Entitled Switch Stips playing was featured throughout. In 1976 Stips appeared as a full-fledged member on To the Hilt. This would prove to be his last full effort with the group. Stips also took part in the group's successful American tour in 1976, but left afterwards to form Stars & Stips which released Nevergreens in 1976, and the group Sweet d'Buster with saxophonist Bertus Borgers. Stips has guested on several Golden Earring efforts since. In 1979, Stips left Sweet d'Buster and formed Transister, which released one album: Zig Zag. In 1981, Robert Jan Stips released his first solo LP (U.P.). The same year, Stips became the keyboard player for The Nits, with whom he had previously worked as a producer. During his years with The Nits he also produced albums for Cloud Nine and Vitesse. He was the main composer of The Nits' orchestral work, Hjuvi - A Rhapsody in Time. In 1982 Stips appeared on Golden Earring's Cut release. It featured the group's worldwide hit "Twilight Zone". Stip also plays on the group's 1986 release The Hole. Robert Jan Stips left Nits in 1996 at the end of their Greatest Hits tour, and launched the group STIPS, with which he brought out the album Egotrip. STIPS released two albums in collaboration with Freek de Jonge, Gemeen Goed (1997) and Rapsodia (1998). In 1999, Robert Jan Stips released two solo albums : Greyhound and Rembrandt 2000 (at the occasion of a great exhibition Rembrandt in The Hague). He also appeared on Golden Earring's "Last Blast of the Century." A two disc live career retrospective. In 2003, he rejoined Nits for their thirtieth anniversary tour. He played on the subsequent albums and has continued to tour with the group.