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King of the World
Photo: Ferry C. Alblas (official press photo, kingoftheworld.eu)
Modern

King of the World

• Netherlands• Active: 2011–nu
Blues RockRoots BluesRhythm and Blues

A Dutch blues supergroup, active since 2011, whose members' backgrounds span acts like Cuby & The Blizzards -- Netherlands' hardest-working blues rock band.

Instruments
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keys, Drums
Labels
KOTW Records
from
Nederland
King of the World formed in the Netherlands in 2011 (the band's own materials sometimes cite 2012) and was quickly labeled a "supergroup" for the rich musical pedigree of its members, who between them carried connections to acts such as Cuby & The Blizzards, Snowy White and Matt Schofield (Source: kingoftheworld.eu). Founding guitarist Erwin Java, who had been Cuby & The Blizzards' guitarist from 1986 to 2011, led King of the World from 2011 to 2018 (Source: dutchbluesfoundation.nl); in 2013 both Java and the band were honoured with Dutch Blues Awards -- Java for Best Guitarist and King of the World in the band category. The early lineup, documented in press from 2015, comprised singer/bassist Ruud Weber, Erwin Java on guitar, Govert van der Kolm on keys and vocals, and Fokke de Jong. Since Java's departure, Belgian guitar virtuoso Stef Delbaere -- ranked among the Benelux's finest blues/rock guitarists by Gitarist magazine -- has taken over the six-string role, while singer/drummer/composer Marlon Pichel has grown into an increasingly central vocal presence. Now well over a decade into its existence, the band -- self-described as playing "Blues, Rhythm and Roots" -- has built a reputation as the hardest-working blues band in the Netherlands, releasing eight albums between 2013 and 2026: "Can't Go Home" (2013), "KOTW" (2014), the live album "Live At Paradiso" (2015), "Cincinnati" (2016), "Connected" (2019), "Royal Ten" (2022), the 2024 live album/DVD "Live At The Boerderij" and its companion studio release "Get Up, Get Down & Get With It" (recorded with special guests including guitarist Matt Schofield, singer Shirma Rouse and Christine Tambakis), and the latest album "The Raw Project" (2026). Along the way King of the World has collected numerous Dutch Blues Awards, including Best Keyboardist, Best Drummer, Best Bassist (three times), Best Guitarist and Best Band (Source: kingoftheworld.eu). The band has played North Sea Jazz Festival, Ribs 'n Blues, Vienna Spring Blues Festival, Paradiso and other major Dutch venues and festivals, and has appeared on Dutch television and radio including "Vrije Geluiden," "Pauw en Witteman" (twice), "Derksen on the Road," "Jongens van het Noorden," "Spijkers met Koppen" and "TROS-muziekcafé." Booking runs through FOR THE ROAD (Netherlands) and KOTW Productions (international) (Source: kingoftheworld.eu).

Musical Influence

A textbook Dutch blues "supergroup" -- built from musicians with pedigrees running through Cuby & The Blizzards and international sideman work -- that has spent well over a decade proving the label right with eight albums and a stack of Dutch Blues Awards (Source: kingoftheworld.eu; dutchbluesfoundation.nl).

Formative experiences

  • •2011: The band is founded in the Netherlands by musicians with backgrounds including Cuby & The Blizzards (Source: kingoftheworld.eu).
  • •2013: Debut album "Can't Go Home" is released; Erwin Java and the band each receive a Dutch Blues Award (Source: dutchbluesfoundation.nl).
  • •2018: Erwin Java leaves the band after leading it since its founding (Source: dutchbluesfoundation.nl).

Instruments & Equipment

Collaborators

Watch & Listen

Featured

On my way back home - live at the Boerderij - by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

KingoftheWorldBlues

2022 King of the World - Full Show @ Aan de Slinger Houten

2022 King of the World - Full Show @ Aan de Slinger Houten

Life After You Live @ Metropool by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

Life After You Live @ Metropool by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

Eyes Of A Child live @ Veronica Soundz Live by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

Eyes Of A Child live @ Veronica Soundz Live by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

Money Talks live @ Veronica Soundz Live by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

Money Talks live @ Veronica Soundz Live by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

On My Way Back Home Live @ Metropool by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

On My Way Back Home Live @ Metropool by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

Eyes wide open - live at the Boerderij - by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

Eyes wide open - live at the Boerderij - by King of the World OFFICIAL VIDEO

Watch & Listen

Henter videoer fra YouTube…

Press & quotes

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Discography

YearTitleProducerStudioLabelChartSalesMusiciansYouTubeNotes
2013Can't Go Home——KOTW Records———
2014KOTW——————
2015Live At Paradiso——————Live album.
2016Cincinnati——————
2019Connected——————
2022Royal Ten——————
2024Live At The Boerderij——————2xCD + DVD, with guests Matt Schofield, Shirma Rouse, Big Pete and Christine Tambakis.
2024Get Up, Get Down & Get With It——————
2026The Raw Project——————

Famous songs

01Life After You
02Eyes Wide Open
03Voodoo

Awards & Recognition

2013
Dutch Blues Award
Best Band
2013
Dutch Blues Award (Erwin Java)
Best Guitarist
Dutch Blues Award
Best Keyboardist
Dutch Blues Award
Best Drummer
Dutch Blues Award
Best Bassist (3x)

External links

Official website facebook instagram youtube Discogs

Booking / Contact

Booking agency
FOR THE ROAD (Netherlands) / KOTW Productions (international)
Agent/management
Walter Wilhem (NL)
Booking phone
+31 (0)6 41860102

NL bookings via FOR THE ROAD (Walter Wilhem, walter@fortheroad.nl, +31 6 14199130); international via KOTW Productions.

Source

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Sources

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