De Toppers (Dutch pronunciation: [dəˈtɔpərs]), 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". They failed to qualify for the final.

History

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 of himself and Joling "auditioning" to join the band. Smit's addition was formally announced on February 21, 2017.

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

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

Concerts

SeasonFormationDateThemeVisitorsLocation
2005RenéGerardGordon13 & 14 MayLive In The Round120,000Johan Cruyff Arena
200626, 27 & 28 MayThe Largest Friendstemple180,000
20071, 2, 3, 6, 7 & 8 JuneDisco & Future360,000
200823, 24 & 27 MayGlitter And Glamour160,000
2009Jeroen12 & 13 JuneToppers Anniversary 2009120,000
2010Gerard20, 21 & 22 MayWelcome To Heaven180,000
201127, 28 & 29 MayThe Royal Party For Kings And Queens200,000
201217, 18 & 19 MayThe Love Boat Edition200,000
201324, 25 & 26 May1001 Night Edition204,698
201424, 29, 30 & 31 May10 Years Toppers Made in Holland270,000
201523, 24, 29, 30 & 31 MayCrazy Summer Edition340,000
201613, 14 & 15 MayRoyal Night of Disco210,000
201610, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24 DecemberChristmas Party of the Year - 12.5 anniversary85,000Rotterdam Ahoy
201726 & 27 MayWild West, Home Best132,000Johan Cruyff Arena
2018Jan25, 26 & 27 MayPretty in Pink, The Circus Edition198,000
201931 May & 1 JuneHappy Birthday Party - 'The Best of' Jubileum Editie130,000
202218, 19 & 20 NovemberHappy Together - The Flower Power Edition-
Total: 17 editionsTotal: 56 concertsTotal: 2,614,698 visitors

Work

Toppers in Concert DVDs

Albums

Album titleRelease dateCharting in the Dutch Album Top 100Comments
Date of entryHighestWeeks
Toppers in concert02-07-200509-07-2005339Platinum
Toppers in concert 200630-06-200608-07-2006226Platinum
Kerst met De Toppers2006-10× Platinum
Toppers in concert 200711-07-200721-07-20071(1wk)19Platinum
Toppers in concert 200801-08-200809-08-2008217Platinum
Toppers in concert 200928-08-200905-09-2009410Platinum
Toppers in concert 201020-08-201021-08-2010217Platinum
Mega party mix - Volume 120-05-201128-05-2011713
Toppers in concert 201102-09-201110-09-20111(1wk)23Platinum
Mega party mix - Volume 209-03-201217-03-2012199
Toppers in concert 201207-09-201215-09-20122243-CD, Platinum
Toppers in concert 201305-10-201312-10-20131914Platinum
Toppers in concert 201422-08-201430-08-20142253-CD, Gold
Toppers in concert 201528-08-201505-09-20151(2wk)203-CD, Gold
Toppers in concert 201626-08-201603-09-2016310*3-CD

Singles

Single titleRelease dateCharting in the Dutch Top 40Comments
Date of entryHighestWeeks
Live at the ArenA200404-12-200458No. 3 in the Single Top 100
Over de top!12-04-200530-04-2005225No. 6 in the Single Top 100
Toppers party!200516-07-2005tip5-No. 32 in the Single Top 100
Wir sind die Holländer200603-06-2006185as "Toppers voor Oranje" / No. 7 in the Single Top 100
Can you feel it?11-06-200716-06-200785with John Marks / No. 10 in the Single Top 100
Shine16-02-200907-03-2009158No. 2 in the Single Top 100
1001 Nacht05-04-201320-04-2013tip9-No. 13 in the Single Top 100
Other singlesDate of appearanceDate of entryHighest positionNumber of weeksComments
Toppers Meezing Kerstmedley2006---Album: Kerst met De Toppers
Sleigh Ride2006---Album: Kerst met De Toppers
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas2006---Album: Kerst met De Toppers
It May Be Winter Outside2006---Album: Kerst met De Toppers
All I Want For Christmas Is You2006---Album: Kerst met De Toppers
Do They Know It's Christmas2006---Album: Kerst met De Toppers
Our Night2009---Nationaal Songfestival / 6th place NSF
No One Loves Me Like You2009---Nationaal Songfestival / 3rd place NSF
Angel Of The Night2009---Nationaal Songfestival / 2nd place NSF
Everybody Can Be A Star2009---Nationaal Songfestival / 5th place NSF
Three Is The Magic Number2009---Nationaal Songfestival / 4th place NSF
Higher2011---Toppers in concert 2011
Topper Van Je Eigen Leven2012---Toppers in concert 2012
Moves Like Toppers2012---Toppers in concert 2012
Wat Ben Je Zonder Vrienden2015---Toppers in concert 2015
Een heel gelukkig kerstfeest2016---Toppers in concert - Christmas party of the year

DVDs

  • 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

  • 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

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded byHind with "Your Heart Belongs to Me"Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009Succeeded bySieneke with "Ik ben verliefd (Sha-la-lie)"