biography

1984

My creative journey began in the mid 80’s, when I founded the vocal pop group UPTOYOU in 1984. Helene van Bree (ex-wife of Rod Allen from The Fortunes) became our manager.

We performed a number of times, recorded several demos, and took part in various photo sessions. During the same period, I appeared as an extra and in supporting roles in various Dutch films and television productions, including ‘De IJssalon‘, ‘Brief nr. 16‘, ‘In de Schaduw van de Overwinning‘, ‘De Aanslag‘, and ‘Amsterdamned‘, as well as in TV shows hosted by Fred Oster, Ron Brandsteder and Peter Jan Rens.

MUSIC PROJECTS & STUDIO YEARS (1987–1996)

From 1987 onwards, I was a member of various boy bands, including FRITSH (with René Kleijn), TROY, BEATBOX, MANIFESTO, and the successful duo ROYAL MOTION, alongside Art Schroer. During this period, I had the privilege of working with renowned and successful producers such as Ferdi Lancee, Eric van Tijn & Jochem Fluitsma, Peter “Hithouse” Slaghuis, Mark Hartman & Jacques Zwart, Bert van Oudenaren, and Robert Pot (Future World Orchestra). I later formed the duo THAT’S IT! with Robert Pot; we recorded several tracks, which were even showcased at the music industry trade fair in Cannes!

Beginning in 1992, I became a regular studio session vocalist for producer Bert van Oudenaren. In this role, I provided lead and backing vocals for projects including the album ‘Stop de Tijd‘ by the band WAAROM? DAAROM!, the ‘Kroegenhits‘ (Pub Hits) compilations (volumes 1 & 2), the ‘Oranje We Gaan Er Voor‘ collection, and a wide variety of demo projects.

In 1994, I began composing my own music. In 1996, I released my first original single, ‘Desert Calling‘, followed in 1998 by the experimental mini-album ‘Back To The Rainbow‘.

GRAPHIC DESIGN & WEBDESIGN (1999–2013)

Around 1999, my second creative career began: graphic and web design. I designed CD covers, logos, and complete visual identities for various musicians and bands. For DJ Eddy de Clercq, I had the opportunity to design a digipack CD cover as well as a visual identity for his company.
In the meantime, I had also developed my skills in web design, creating a wide range of websites for clients such as Soundfidelity, Bloebent, the Acteer Academie Amsterdam, SSTO, Zwanger in Stijl, Garage Vontsteen, Antiques Online, and many others. To date, I have completed over 25 websites.

Driven by my passion for Dutch feature films, I launched the website denederlandsespeelfilm.nl in 2005, which grew into a highly successful and significant online database dedicated to Dutch cinema. This project brought me into contact with, among others, the Dutch Film Culture Fund (Nederlands Film Cultuur Fonds), film producer Rob Houwer, and actresses Willeke van Ammelrooy and Renée Soutendijk.

Additionally, I established my own business, operating under the name Rob Koning Webdesign & Vormgeving. It grew into a successful design studio, but due to the immense workload, I decided to take a time-out in 2013.

PHOTOGRAPHY & MUSIC (2016 – present)

In 2016, I discovered a new passion: photography. This later became the visual foundation for my music projects.

In 2017, I returned to music, built a professional home studio, took various courses, and developed my skills in music production. Since 2018, I have released several tracks, which you can find under ‘DISCOGRAPHY‘.

My music is available worldwide on all streaming platforms—something I am incredibly proud of! Who would have ever thought?
In 2022, four old recordings (which I had once made with producer Robert Pot) were even released as part of a double album by Future World Orchestra!

WEBDESIGN & OTHER PROJECTS (2024 – present)

Over the past few years, I have developed numerous websites, including those for Santulana Massage, Santulana Jewelry, and the musician Margit Ostara. I also created, as a tribute, a website (now in its fifth iteration) for the singer Richenel, who passed away in 2020. This project was developed in the lead-up to a tribute concert (taking place at Paradiso, Amsterdam, in 2025). For this concert, I even had the opportunity to create a full-length slideshow to accompany a DJ set by Eddy De Clercq, a fantastic project and a tremendous honor!

Most recently, I designed the layout and visual style for the film poster for the short film ‘The Inbetween‘.

SUMMARY

As you can see, I’ve been involved in a wide variety of creative pursuits, but my greatest passion remains making music.
That is why, even now, at nearly 64 years old, I am still active as a singer and session vocalist, and I continue to compose music.

My creative career now spans more than four decades! It’s incredible to look back and read through it all…

THE COMPLETE BIOGRAPHY (in Dutch)

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