nuOct 23, 2026, 10:37

Jan Smit on Gerard Joling's departure from De Toppers: 'A real shame'

Jan Smit has officially commented on Gerard Joling's departure from the Dutch music group De Toppers after 21 years, describing the loss as regrettable. The group plans to announce a new composition soon, though the future of member René Froger remains uncertain due to health issues ahead of their 2027 concerts in Amsterdam.

Jan Smit has expressed his disappointment regarding Gerard Joling's decision to leave the music group De Toppers after 21 years. Joling plans to step away to focus on his own solo concert career, a move that came as a surprise to his fellow band member Jeroen van der Boom. Smit emphasized that Joling is irreplaceable and noted that the group will announce a new lineup in the near future. While the group continues to navigate these changes, questions also remain regarding the health of member René Froger, who is currently taking a break due to an autoimmune disease. It is unclear if Froger will be available for the next scheduled performances. The Toppers are currently slated to perform at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam on May 28 and 29, 2027. The group remains committed to maintaining a unified public presence as they determine the path forward for the ensemble.

Culture Amsterdam Netherlands

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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