Born in 1975 in South Holland, Len discovered the power of music at an early age. At the age of 10, he received a guitar as a gift, one that had been bought at a flea market – a modest start for someone who would later become a recognizable guitarist in the Dutch rock and metal scene. His musical influences from the beginning were rooted in icons such as Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and rock giants like Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Rainbow, and Guns N’ Roses. These influences would shape the foundation of his unique sound and style.
The Early Days
After initially teaching himself to play guitar and spending time in school bands, Len made his first serious musical mark with a Dutch-language band, it became evident that he had a distinctive sound, setting the stage for his further musical development. It was clear that he was not just a guitarist but someone with a strong, identifiable playing style.
From “Crawlin’Back” to Big Stages
When Len was around 23 years old, he joined his next band: Crawlin’Back. This band focused on rock and heavy metal and quickly gained recognition in the Dutch music scene. Later, as a Tribute to Guns N’ Roses, the band toured across the Netherlands, during a time when tribute bands were gaining massive popularity. Len’s part was the lead guitar performed by Slash. This period marked the first time he stepped onto larger stages and further established his name.
Vengeance: The Big Breakthrough
The true breakthrough came in 2008 when Len joined the legendary Dutch heavy metal band Vengeance. Alongside lead vocalist Leon Goewie, bassist Barend Courbois, drummer Erik Stout, and fellow guitarist Jan Somers, he toured extensively throughout the Netherlands and beyond. Unfortunately, the band disbanded in 2009, but for Len, this was the beginning of a new chapter.
A New Chapter: Picture
In 2010, len joined the iconic band Picture, an old-school heavy metal group that performs on major festivals and headlining shows around the world. Since then, he has been an integral part of the band, which has become widely recognized. While the lineup of Picture has changed over time, the current, and by many fan’s opinion strongest lineup ever consists of vocalist Peter Strykes, bassist Rinus Vreugdenhil, drummer Laurens Bakker, and fellow guitarist Appie de Gelder. Together, they have played numerous shows and festivals, from small clubs to huge stages, in countries all over the world, including the Europe, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Buenos Aires and Colombia.
An International Career
With Picture,Len has performed in an impressive number of countries, including Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Poland, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina and Peru. His guitar playing is a defining factor in the success of the band, and he is a respected figure in the global heavy metal community.
Yada Yada
Sine 2019 len is the lead guitar player of this dutch tribute sensation honoring a big legend “Herman Brood and the Wild Romance”. Probably the most famous (inclusing USA) song of this formation will be the song Saturday Night. With a 1,5 hr long setlist almost weekly Yada Yada is performing in the dutch club circuit and selected pubs/venues.
Influence and Formation
During his youth, len took guitar lessons from the renowned jazz guitarist Olaf Tarenskeen. These lessons were pivotal in his musical development, and it was under Tarenskeen’s guidance that he refined his techniques and deepened his musical knowledge. This solid foundation allowed him to develop his own unique style and to carve out a place for himself in the international rock scene.
Present and Future
Today, Len remains an iconic figure in the rock and metal world. With Picture, he continues to perform on large stages and festivals all over the world, and his passion for music is stronger than ever. Whether he’s playing for thousands of fans or working on new music, his love for guitar playing and his dedication to rock music continue to drive him forward.