The Shorts

{{Short description|Dutch pop band}} {{About|the band|the horse race|The Shorts (ATC)}} {{Expand Dutch|topic=cult|date=October 2016}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Shorts | image = The Shorts 2.png | image_size = | landscape = | alt = | caption = | background = group_or_band | alias = | origin = Netherlands | genre = Country, Pop | years_active = 1976-1987 | label = | website = | current_members = | past_members = * Hans van Vondelen * Erik de Wildt * Hans Stokkermans * Peter Wezenbeek }} '''The Shorts''' was a pop group from the Netherlands<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/392907-Shorts-The|title=The Shorts|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=13 February 2015|archive-date=29 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429100615/http://www.discogs.com/artist/392907-Shorts-The|url-status=live}}</ref> consisting of Hans van Vondelen (vocals), Erik de Wildt (keyboard), Hans Stokkermans (bass guitar) and Peter Wezenbeek (drums). The group was formed in 1976, and scored a 1983 international hit with "Comment ça va" produced by Jack Jersey. Last "recorded" appearance is from Sopot Festival 1984.

thumb|left|130px|Conamus Exportprijs - The Shorts

==History== The Shorts were founded under the name De Bliksemafleiders in Leiden in 1977 by producer Danny de Heer. On a talent show he discovered Hans van Vondelen, Erik de Wildt, Peter Wezenbeek, Frank van der Ven and Hans Stokkermans . The then eleven-year-old boys mainly played on a children's show by Eddy de Heer and Danny de Heer. After a few years, the boys made their own single. This single was not a success, but Eddy de Heer wrote the song Comment ça va (in English) as encouragement. After visiting all record companies for a year, record company EMI was willing to release the song (thanks to Ruud Wams of Paloma Music) but in a Dutch version, which was recorded in the Stone sound studio in Roosendaal and written and produced by Jack de Nijs.

De Bliksemafleiders were now called The Shorts. The Dutch song Comment ça va was initially played mainly on pirate radio, but quickly became a great commercial success. In 1983 it was the best-selling single in the Netherlands. The single was translated into English, Spanish, German and Chinese and released in several countries. In total, more than four million copies were sold. In 1983 The Shorts, Eddy de Heer and Jack de Nijs were awarded the Conamus Export Prize for their international success with Comment ça va.

The following singles from The Shorts could no longer match the success. After several changes in the group, the group split up in 1987.

==Recent history== {{relevance inline|date=October 2016}} Hans van Vondelen owns Fendal Sound Studios.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}Peter Wezenbeek is an owner of J.P. Audio Visueel BV and Droomtent recording studio.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} Hans Stokkermans is a detective and continues intensively playing as a musician on bass guitar.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} Erik de Wildt's owns a drug store.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

==Discography==

The Shorts released two albums and 14 singles.

===Albums===

===Comment ça va=== {{Infobox album | italic_title = no | name = ''Comment ça va'' | type = studio | artist = The Shorts | cover = | alt = | released = {{Start date|df=yes|1983}} | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = | length = 41:11 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Shorts-Comment-%C3%87a-Va/release/888182|title=The Shorts – Comment Ça Va|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=25 October 2016|archive-date=12 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512230422/https://www.discogs.com/The-Shorts-Comment-%C3%87a-Va/release/888182|url-status=live}}</ref> | label = EMI | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }}

====Track list==== #Comment Ça Va 3:30 #One Pair 3:24 #Een Beetje Vuur 3:41 #Ik Zing 3:55 #Springtime 2:37 #I'm A Musician 4:42 #Je Suis, Tu Es 3:35 #Subway Love 4:15 #I'm Saving 3:25 #Annabelle 3:46 #Goodbye, Don't Cry 4:21

===M'n laaste concert=== Second album from 1987.

;Track listing #Splash Intro 2:16 #Het Monster Van Loch Ness 4:30 #Ze Was Zo Mooi 3:18 #Vrienden 3:35 #Margriet Uit Hazerswoude 3:36 #Goodbye Irene 3:47 #M'n Laatste Concert 3:26 #Annelies 3:52 #Maar Toen Kwam Jij 3:37 #Verboden Toegang 2:54 #In De Twintigste Eeuw 4:15 #Door De Bocht 4:09

===Singles=== ;CNR *Don't wanna do it (1981)

;EMI *Annabelle (1983) *Comment Ça Va (1983) *Je Suis, Tu Es / Ik Zing (1983) *Que Tal Te Va (Comment Ça VA) (promo) (1984) *Je Hebt Het Maar Geleend (1984) *Tschüss (1984) *Helemaal Te Gek (1984)

;Sky *Ze Was Zo Mooi / She Was So Nice (1985) *Christmas-Eve (1985) *Door De Bocht (1985) *Maar Toen Kwam Jij (1986) *M'n Laatste Concert (1987)

;Telstar *Verboden Toegang (1986)

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shorts, the}} Category:1976 establishments in the Netherlands Category:Musical groups established in 1976 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1987 Category:Dutch pop music groups Category:French-language Dutch musical groups Category:English-language Dutch musical groups