In 2002, a musical tribute to The Cats was held in Volendam. In the 1960s, they were the founders of what later came to be known as the ’eel sound‘ (palingsound). This was not a one-off performance, because the way the ’Tribute To The Cats Band“ (the one and only from Volendam) had brought the hits of their legendary townsfolk back to life called for a sequel. We are now almost 24 years and more than 850 concerts later.
‘Lea’, ‘Why’, ‘Marian’, ‘Times Were When,’ and the worldwide hit ‘One Way Wind’ guarantee a weekly celebration of recognition across the country. The audience attending Tribute To The Cats Band's concerts previously included many who also attended The Cats' concerts. However, the growing fanbase around the band is increasingly attracting younger people as well, who find a night of Cats music to be full of camaraderie and enjoyment.
Most band members have a proven track record in the Volendam music scene, including in Next One, The Business, Dutch, Dos Chicos, and Fiësta: Thoom Veerman (currently replaced by Frank Keijzer), Nico Tol & newcomer Gerry Trum (he will partially replace Nico), Marcel Veerman (nephew of The Cats member Cees Veerman & former TTTCB member Harmen Veerman), Michel de Haan, brother and newcomer Peter de Haan (known from De Mon Amour Band and Always Wanted (Dutch Bon Jovi Tribute)), and Jan Veerman.
Cees Veerman and Larry Koning are emerging talents who never experienced the era of The Cats. They therefore appreciate even more what their fellow villagers achieved back then and enjoy weekly what the music of The Cats still evokes in 2026.
The polyphonic harmony singing is one of the striking features of the Tribute To The Cats Band, enabling them to reproduce that characteristic Cats sound. They are supported, among others, by sound engineer & manager Jan Schilder (brother of The Cats member Jaap Schilder), who was already responsible for the live sound at The Cats back then. With him, ‘Vaya con Dios,’ ‘Scarlet Ribbons,’ ‘Marian,’ ’Lea,’ and ‘Jukebox,’ along with many other hits, are once again in trusted hands.
Perhaps the most proud of the success and popularity of the Tribute To The Cats Band are the original band members of The Cats themselves. This has already led to several guest performances, among other things, with many emotions surfacing both on stage and in the audience.
In short: Tribute To The Cats Band, with nine members, guarantees an atmospheric, full-evening program with almost all Cats hits: And once again, it's a celebration of recognition with lots of conviviality and fun!
