About the Artist
Roger Hamen was the very first drummer to play at an official The Grund Club Show and by the time you finish reading this artist description, you will understand how poignant and prophetic his endorsement really was and how much appreciation and respect we have for him, both as an organization and as individual artists.
Since 1966, as a drummer, Roger has worked with more than 15 bands, including “The Saints” and “The Shepherds” in the 60’s, “Cool Breeze” and another 5 bands in the 70’s. In the 80’s he worked with 6 bands, including 2 projects with Luke Haas and a few years on the road with The Buffalo Wayne Band. After that, in the 90’s, he has settled with The Chris Birch Band and now he is back playing with The Little Blues Band again.
Aside from playing the drums, Roger Hamen is a real walking-talking encyclopedia of the Luxembourgish music scene since the 1960’s. And that is not because he “happened to be there”, but more: Roger was always the one making it happen.
Fete de la Musique? Roger Hamen was a founding member in 2001 and the President in 2014. “Rock um Kneudler”? He has been an artistic adviser since the very beginning in1991. Rockhal? Someone had to dream about it and Roger was there before and from its very beginning in 2004, when he was appointed as the General Director for “amplified music.”
These events, known throughout and out of Luxembourg borders, are just some of the famous titles Roger played a huge part in. The truth is that his involvement surpasses a quick listing because there are so many projects, organizations and initiatives that Roger has been involved with, either as an artistic consultant or as an institutional representative that it makes it impossible to list them all. It is enough just to mention that Roger Hamen was awarded the “Chevalier de l’Ordre du Merite du Grand-Duche de Luxembourg” in 2013.
But the thing we love the most about Roger is that he has always been there for musicians, especially the young ones, and he still is! Roger has probably created more opportunities for new Luxembourgish bands and artists to get their feet on the stage than anybody else. He always comes to our gigs and he knows what is going on at the grassroots level. He is a true legacy that we hope to live up to, as we keep up with doing our part – to keep the music flowing.
