The Kinksfan Kollektiv

Chris Griffiths* (drums/vocs) (UK) : Chris joined Dr Geoff and Anne-France Legris to jam at the Pete Quaife book-signing at the Clissold Arms in March 2011, and has been a member of The Kinksfan Kollektiv since the first gig in November 2011. He also played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in 2016.

Ben Elsendoorn* (bass/vocs) (Netherlands) : Ben is a bass player for The APM Big Band and All Angels & Demons in the Netherlands. He has been a member of the Kinksfan Kollektiv since 2012. In 2016, Ben set up The Kinksfan Kollektiv XL to play in s’Hertogenbosch. In 2017, he took over as leader of the Kinksfan Kollektiv.

Keld Nilsson* (bass/vocs) (Denmark) : Sharing the bass duties with Ben, Keld plays bass with Empty Account, as well as being a solo performer and music teacher in Denmark. He has also been a member of the Kinksfan Kollektiv since 2012.

Jørn Back (vocs) (Norway) : Joining the Kinksfan Kollektiv in 2015, Jørn is singer with Norwegian Kinks tribute band, Kinky Way.

Christian Ebeltoft (lead guitar) (Norway) : Also joining the Kinksfan Kollektiv in 2015, Christian is lead guitarist with Kinky Way.

Birger Villadsen* (rhythm guitar/vocs) (Denmark) : The final Kinksfan Kollektiv newcomer in 2015, Birger plays guitar in a duo with Keld. He has since played with the band every year.

The Kinksfan Kollektiv on Facebook

Geoff Lewis* (keyboards/vocs) (UK) : “Dr Geoff” has been playing the Kinks singalongs since the early 2000s. Keyboard player and backing vocalist in The Fingers, The Lazy Sundays, Big Fat Shorty, Frightened Eyes and Kinks kover specialists The Spivs. In 2019, 2021 and 2023, he played with the Kast Off Kinks in London.

2015 was his final year as leader of the Kinksfan Kollektiv, but he continues to perform with them. He also played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch in 2016.

Olga Ruocco* (lead and backing vocals) (UK) : Olga has been at every singalong there has been. She is backing vocalist in The Spivs and has been a member of The Kinksfan Kollektiv since 2011. She also sang with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in 2016.

Xander van Veelen (drums) (Netherlands) : In previous years, Xander, son of Dick, played drums on Dedicated Follower of Fashion, while Chris led the vocals. In 2014 and 2019, Xander played on several songs while Chris did his extended Mick Avory vocals thing.

He is also a member of Kick Some Kinks.

Patrick Costello* (lead guitar/vocs) (USA) : Patrick played his first Kinks singalong in 2011. A solo performer and bass player with an unnamed band in New York City, Patrick has recorded several Kinks songs, including one with Dr Geoff on piano. He played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv from 2011 to 2014 and again in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Lynn von Sien (Zecca) (bass) (USA) : Lynn is bass player in Minneapolis-based Kinks tribute band, Kinda Kinky, She played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv in 2011.

Jim Smart* (guitar/vocs) (USA) : Jim lives in Hawaii, where he is a well-known singer/guitarist both as a solo performer and in bands including Green Flash, Tripper and The Day Trippers. He played a special “unplugged” Kinks Night at the Clissold Arms with the Kinksfan Kollektiv in 2015 and played again in June 2022.

Alan McClure (guitar) (UK) : Hailing from Scotland, Alan sings and plays guitar (and occasionally saxophone and whistle) with The Razorbills and Hamilton McClure. He also performs a few solo gigs. He played at the “unplugged” Kinks Night in 2015.

Geoff Murrell* (lead vocals) (Spain): Another long-time contributor to the singalongs, Geoff is a solo performer and singer with Stiff Upper Lip and Electric Owls in Spain. He is also lead vocalist in The Spivs and was previously with G-Mark, Nameless and Who Are You. He sang with the Kinksfan Kollektiv in 2011, 2013, November 2017 and November 2018.

Dick van Veelen* (rhythm guitar/vocs) (Netherlands) : Dick joined Dr Geoff for the first time at the 2010 singalong. He is also a member of Kick Some Kinks. He played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv from 2011 to 2014 and again from 2016 to 2019. He also played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in 2016.

The Kinksfan Kollektiv is an international band of musicians who are all great fans of The Kinks, put together in 2011 by Geoff Lewis, initially to perform at Kinks singalongs for Kinks fans. To pass the time during lockdowns, they have also recorded some music videos from their disparate locations.

Band Members (in order of joining) :

Christian Davies (UK) : Son of Dave Davies and nephew of Ray, who starred as young Ray in the Kinks‘ “Down All The Days” video, Christian sang some of his father’s songs with the Kinksfan Kollektiv in 2012 and again from 2015 to 2021 and in 2023.

Guest Performers

Isa Arnold (UK) : Chris Griffiths‘ sister Isa joined the Kinksfan Kollektiv at The Clissold Arms in November 2015

Ian Rhydderch* (sound engineer/vocs) (UK) : Ian volunteered to help with the sound at the Victoria in November 2015 and was inducted as a permanent full band member in November 2016. He performs with Cut 3 Ways around Swansea, South Wales.

Janet Wolters (lead and backing vocals) (Netherlands) : Janet sang with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016 and again with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in November 2017 and November 2018.

Marlieke Elsendoorn (flute) (Netherlands) : Ben’s daughter Marlieke played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016 and with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in November 2018.

Inge Donkervoort (trumpet) (Netherlands) : A member of Irene's Angels & Demons and The APM Big Band, Inge played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016 and again with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in November 2017 and November 2018.

Jolande van Erp* (saxophones/flute) (Netherlands) : Another member of Irene's Angels & Demons and The APM Big Band, Jolande played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016 and again with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in November 2017 and November 2018.

Ton van Erp (trombone) (Netherlands) : Trombone player with The APM Big Band, Jolande’s brother-in-law Ton played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016 and again with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in November 2017 and November 2018.

Sjef van Rooij (keyboard) (Netherlands) : Sjef plays keyboard in: Irene’s Angels and Demons, APM Big Band, regional dialect band Cohda-Krek, Den Bosch Zingt-Band,and Bosch dialect duo Van Alle Markten Thuis. He also sings in and composes for some of the above bands and accompanies various solo-artists . Sjef shared keyboard duties with Geoff with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016 and again with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in November 2017 and November 2018.

Roel Essing (guitar) (Netherlands) : Guitarist with The APM Big Band, Roel played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016 and again with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in 2017.

Vincent Schrover (guitar) (Netherlands) : Vincent plays lead guitar in Beatles tribute band, The Magical Mystery Band. He played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016

Carli Bongers (vocals/bass) (Netherlands) : Singer with The APM Big Band, Carli sang and played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016

George Blanken (lead vocals) (Netherlands) : George sang with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016

Hans Rovers (lead vocals) (Netherlands) : Hans sang with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016

André Wagener (lead vocals) (Netherlands) : André sang with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016

Bjorn Kastelijn (sound engineer) (Netherlands) : Bjorn was sound engineer for the Kinksfan Kollektiv XL in s’Hertogenbosch, November 2016

The History of The Kinksfan Kollektiv

Jos van Erp (sound engineer/brass arrangements) (Netherlands) : Also from The APM Big Band, Jolande’s husband Jos is a music teacher, arranger and band leader. He worked on the desk and arranged the brass parts for the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in 2017.

Nel van Driel (saxophone) (Netherlands) : Another member of The APM Big Band, Nel played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in November 2017 and November 2018.

Laura Mapes (drums) (USA) : A former firefighter in California, Laura guested with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in 2017 and again with the Kinksfan Kollektiv in November 2022.

Joe Sheldon (trumpet) (UK) : A resident of Bounds Green, Joe played with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in London in November 2018.

Alain Noslier (France) : A member of Mystery Fox in Avranches, France, Alain performed a guest vocal, duetting with Olga, with the Kinksfan Kollektiv XXL in November 2018.

Peter de Haan (rhythm guitar/vocals) (Netherlands) : Among Peter’s previous bands is one called Central Heating, doing Kinks covers and original songs. He is currently in a Kinks tribute band called Kinda Kinks. He played with the KFK in 2021 and again in November 2022 and 2023.

Wiebe de Haan (lead guitar/vocals) (Netherlands) : Also previously in Central Heating, Wiebe played for deSoto before becoming lead guitarist in 60S band Afterbeat , as well as in Kinda Kinks with his brother. He joined the KFK in 2021 and continued to play with the band ever since.

Scott Schenkel (drums) (USA) : Scott got a used Ludwig kit at age 13, played in a few bands in West Texas until moving to Dallas in 2005. and has been a Kinks fan since "You Really Got Me". He guested with the Kinksfan Kollektiv in 2021 and again in November 2022 and November 2023.

Luna Collins (piano) (USA/UK) : Formerly a resident of Northern California, Luna, a long-term Kinks fan, moved to Manchester a few years ago. She guested with the Kinksfan Kollektiv at The Springfield in 2021 to allow Geoff to do some vocals

Stef Cole (drums) (UK) : Multi-instrumentalist Stef is a busy professional musician. Some years before the start of the Kinksfan Kollektiv, he played guitar with the two Geoffs at an early Kinks singalong. He guested on drums with the KFK at The Springfield in 2021 and in November 2022.

* Indicates band members involved in the lockdown projects.

Frank den Hollander (vocals) (Netherlands) : Frank has been performing with Peter de Haan in the Netherlands for more than forty years, gaining some popularity with their combination of comedy and (also Kinks-inspired) pop music. He sang with the KFK in November 2022.

Ep Oosting (vocals) (Netherlands) : Ep has been playing Kinks songs in bands since he was 18. He is a member of the Peter and Wiebe’s Kinks cover band Kinda Kinks. He also collects Kinks singles and EPs from all over the world to play on his jukebox. He guested on a couple of songs with the KFK in November 2022.

James Swartz (vocals) (USA) : Coming from Baltimore, James sang with the Kinksfan Kollektiv in July 2023. He says “I have always enjoyed singing along at KFK gigs, I try to make it over to support a great group of terrific musicians honoring the greatest band in history!