Ad Vanderveen (born Arend van der Veen, September 21, 1956) is a Dutch songwriter, guitarist, and singer active in the roots rock and Americana genres.
Early Life
Vanderveen was born in Hilversum, Netherlands, into a musical family with Canadian roots. His mother Sietske van der Ploeg played the church organ, and his father Roel van der Veen played accordion and piano. He was not allowed to play guitar at home due to his parents' disapproval of the hippie culture of the late 1960s. He began playing in rock and roll bands at age 14. His early band Brinker, in which he played bass and sang, released two singles in 1977. Unable to make a living from music initially, he held various jobs until age 24. His early musical influences included the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Kinks, John Lee Hooker, and later Neil Young, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Guy Clark, and Townes Van Zandt.
Career
Early Career (1980–1992)
In 1980, Vanderveen formed The Cotton Brothers, a country rock band in which he played bass and sang. The band toured the Netherlands and Germany for approximately three years before releasing their debut album On Strike in 1983 under the name Personnel. From the second album, Off The Record (1986), Vanderveen switched from bass to guitar. In 1988, he partnered with Philip Kroonenberg, and the band Personnel evolved primarily into a duo. Their live album Only (1990) was recorded in Basel, Switzerland. Their final album together, Continuing Stories (1992), was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, with Al Kooper, Flaco Jimenez, and Al Perkins. The band disbanded in 1992.
Solo Career and Collaborations (1992–present)
Vanderveen's first solo album, Travel Light (1993), originated from monthly performances for Dutch radio station 3FM. In 1993, he met American singer-songwriter David Olney, beginning a long collaboration; Vanderveen's 2023 album Only Olney features songs by Olney.
Vanderveen has released at least one new album nearly every year since 1993, collaborating with artists including David Olney, Eliza Gilkyson, Iain Matthews, Leland Sklar, Herman Brood, Eric Andersen, and John Gorka. Since 2005, he has worked regularly with Kersten de Ligny (vocals, autoharp, percussion), whom he married in 2019.
In 2017, Vanderveen performed as Van Morrison's support act. In February 2022, his album Candle To You reached number 1 on the Euro Americana chart. In 2022, he reunited with The O'Neils, resulting in the double album Heart of Every Town (2023). Since 2023, he has hosted the weekly radio program Heartfelt & Handmade on 40UP Radio.
Musical Style
Vanderveen's music spans roots rock with country-folk and blues elements, ranging from intimate acoustic solo performances to electric improvisations with The O'Neils. His lyrics are often autobiographical, poetic, and introspective. His guitar playing is frequently compared to Neil Young's but is described as cleaner and more technically polished.
Personal Life
Vanderveen and Kersten de Ligny were married in 2019 and live in Bussum, Netherlands. He has two sons and one grandchild. He practices meditation, walking, and reading, and supports the organization WISE, which focuses on educating about responsible energy sources.
Selected Discography
- Travel Light (the Rock City Sessions) (1993)
- Sooner Or Later (1994)
- Wonders Of The World (1997)
- Ad Vanderveen & The O'Neils (1998)
- The Moment That Matters (2003)
- Late Bloomer (2004)
- Cloud Of Unknowing (2006)
- Still Now (2008)
- Driven By A Dream (2012)
- Presents Of The Past / Requests Revisited (2015)
- Worlds Within (2017)
- Final Refuge (2019)
- Candle To You (2022)
- Heart of Every Town (2023)
- Only Olney (2023)
- Rise In Love (2024)
- Disappearing Act (2026)
