nuOct 21, 2026, 04:48

Jeroen van der Boom learned of Gerard Joling's departure from De Toppers through the media

Jeroen van der Boom stated he was blindsided by Gerard Joling's decision to leave the group De Toppers, having learned of the departure through media reports. While Joling claims he informed his colleagues months ago, the news remains a surprise to Van der Boom during a challenging time for the group due to René Froger's health.

Jeroen van der Boom was surprised to learn through the media that his colleague Gerard Joling is leaving the music group De Toppers after 21 years. Joling stated his intention to focus on solo concerts and television projects, claiming he had informed his colleagues months ago. However, Van der Boom maintained he was unaware of the decision until it was publicly announced, requiring time to process the news.

The departure comes during a difficult period for the group, as member René Froger is currently dealing with health issues related to an auto-immune disease. Van der Boom expressed his disappointment, as he had hoped the ensemble would continue performing together following their successful concerts last June. Despite the sudden exit, he thanked Joling for their shared history and significant contributions to the group since he joined in 2009. The Toppers are scheduled to perform next in May 2027 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, with plans to announce a new lineup shortly.

Culture Amsterdam Netherlands

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

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