Biography
BERT RUITER: Bass guitar and vocals
Born: Amsterdam, November 26, 1946
Educated: Secondary Modern and Roman Catholic schools in Hilversum.
Musical Training: Started playing guitar when 12 and is self-taught, developed by listening to and playing with other musicians. Pianist mother taught him to read music.
Amateur Debut: The Spectacles, while still at school.
Carrer: Made his professional debut whem 19 with the Jay-Jays, touring Holland for about 12 months, Formed a five-piece band called Full-Horse with a guitarist friend, Herman Meyer, which played theatre and cabaret in Holland, Belgium and Germany for several months backing Dutch entertainer Herman Van Veen. Devoted a year to pratice and formulation of his future plans, but did a weekly jam-session at a club. Joined FOCUS in September 1971.
Musical Influences: Richard Davis, Jack Bruce and every good bass player.
Favourite Single: "Layla", Derek and the Dominoes.
Most Influential L.P.: "Miles Davis Live".
Favourite Composers: Bach, Burt Bacharach.
Favourite Musician: Richard Davis.
Favourite Singer: Elvis Presley.
Instruments: Fender Jazz Bass with St. David medium gauge strings, Yamaha accoustic with C and W strings, Fender Super Showman XFL 2000 400-watt stack with pre-amp, sound mixer and two Fender cabinets each one containing eight 10 inch speakers and a built in 200-watt solid-state amplifier. Plays a bit of piano for his own amusement.
Click the picture to see an enlarged version
Text and pictures kindly sent by Steffen Staugaard ( Denmark )
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