Teun Eikelboom (4 July 1940) better known as Tonny Eyk, a Dutch composer, arranger, pianist, bandleader, producer, entertainer, columnist and writer. He was also known for his appearances as a jury member in various television shows including , Soundmixshow and . His first book, Met Tonny Eyk naar de Provence (Go with Tonny Eyk to Provence), combines his love of the Tour de France and French gastronomy. Eyk was also an ambassador of the Dutch company . He graduated by majoring in trombone at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague.
Tonny Eyk was born on 4 July 1940. He made countless television appearances and has been involved with Dutch Television experienced from its very beginning. This included Experimental TV in 1950, the opening of the second Dutch TV Net (1964), The first Color TV Broadcast (1967 from the Firato, the opening of the third Dutch TV Netherlands 3 (for which he wrote all the music) and the first Dutch advertising broadcast in 1963 (Mecom TV). Eyk has worked with world stars such as Dame Edna Everidge, Tommy Cooper, Toots Thielemans, Ringo Starr, The Three Degrees, Oleta Adams and Danny Kaye. He partnered his twin sister Jeanette, with whom he since 1947 an accordion duo had, in the European 1958 act for the legendary Rock and Roll King, "Bill Haley and his Comets" (the world's first pop concert was banned in the Netherlands).
With Rudi Carrell, Eyk made a tour for the Dutch troops in 1962 in New Guinea, and later in 1980 he was the musical director for Rudi's TV shows in Germany, including âÂÂDie Sieben Verflixteâ and âÂÂRudi's Urlaub Show. In 1980, Eyk performed with his combo at the inauguration of Beatrix as queen of The Netherlands and again in 2005, at her 25-year jubilee reign at the Knight's Hall (Ridderzaal) of Dutch States General States General of the Netherlands of the Netherlands parliament (Staten-Generaal van het Koninkrik der Nederlanden) in the Binnenhof in The Hague.
Eyk has made hundreds of compositions both in the light and in the classical music genres. He wrote the theme music for shows including Top Pop, , , the repertoire for Van Kooten en De Bie (âÂÂBallen in mijn buikâÂÂ-Balls in my stomach,âÂÂDe Tegenpartijâ and many others.), the cinematic film 'Number 14' (the Johan Cruijff story), hits for âÂÂKinderen voor Kinderenâ (Children for Children) - (âÂÂOp een onbewoond EilandâÂÂ-On a desert island and âÂÂIk heb zo waanzinnig gedroomdâ - I had such a crazy dream), and for many television series (including the De stille kracht, the and . Also he composed symphonic works, such as the Suite (for Jaap van Zweden) and Capriccio for symphony orchestra and Combo commissioned by the Holland Festival '79. For decades the "Anthem Ceremony Protoculaire UCI" played during all cycling world championships was a composition by Eyk.
The musical career of Eyk started in 1947. Together with his twin sister Jeanette (actually Sjaantje Eikelenboom) when aged seven years they formed an accordion duo called the . This name was a combination of their own two names. The duo soon became a well-known act on the post-war variety circuit and they performed with such great artists as Lou Bandy, Albert de Booy, Heintje Davids, Willy Vervoort, , Eddy Christiani, De Spelbrekers and . In 1950, they made their radio debut in the VARA 'Amateurs zetten hun beste beentje voorâ (Amateurs put their best foot forward) program and they followed this with a performance for the then Dutch experimental television project in Eindhoven. They first worked abroad in 1952 and played in a movie theatre in Liège performing between the news and the featured film. In 1954, Jeanette and Eyk made a tour of Italy with their accordion teacher .
At the age of 14, exactly on 1 July 1955, the duo became professional. That year, on 12 November, they were seen for the first time on television in the NCRV program 'Blokbandâ and as a result of this, they were invited to perform on the highly popular radio show of : "Alle hens aan dek met Mastklimmenâ (All hands on deck with Mast Climbing). They appeared regularly with their accordion act in many variety shows and also for Dutch soldiers (including La Courtine) and went on tour for Belgian soldiers stationed in Germany. Eyk also accompanied as pianist various jugglers, comedians, singers, magicians and clowns. In 1957, the duo received a contract with the famous Heck's Lunchroom on Amsterdam's Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt Square) and in 1959 their first record was released by Delahaye Records.
In addition to performances with , Eyk performed a lot of solo work. He did gigs in nightclubs and worked as a pianist in the orchestra of the then-popular singer Annie de Reuver. From 1958 to 1965, he studied trombone at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague with Anner Bylsma sr. and played in the orchestra class conducted by with whom he privately studied conducting. In 1960, in Italy, Eyk scored a hit with the song âÂÂAddio Piccolinaâ (sung by ). From 1963, he conducted various radio ensembles including VARA Musette Orchestra and Koffiekamer Sounds (NCRV). He formed the Tonny Eyk-Quartet with Eddy Christiani as vocalist and guitarist.
In 1964, Eyk married Elizabeth Vasbinder, a former dancer of the Dutch and Dutch National Ballet. He was also the supervisor for the popular duo Willy Alberti and Willeke Alberti. For the KRO radio program from Alex Wayenburg, he debuted André van Duin and as vocalists..
In the late sixties Eyk began some big foreign tours with various groups of Dutch artists (Willy Alberti and Willeke Alberti, Johnny Jordaan, Cees de Lange, world champion magician Fred Kaps, Toby Rix with his toeteriks, singers Conny Vandenbos and and many others). He gave concerts for Dutch emigrants in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, Curacao, Suriname and in South Africa. At this time, Eyk was increasingly in demand for TV programs and he became the musical director of some legendary programs, including âÂÂVoor de Vuist Wegâ and âÂÂMuziekmozaïekâ (with Willem Duys), Mies Bouwman, , âÂÂNieuwe Oogstâ (New Harvest), the Ronnie Tober Shows, âÂÂâÂÂ, âÂÂde KRO komt langsâÂÂ, âÂÂâÂÂ, the âÂÂ1-2-3-show', the Carré Shows, âÂÂDe show van de MaandâÂÂ, âÂÂWerk in Uitvoeringâ (with Willem Nijholt). He was also responsible for many children's series such as âÂÂBibelebonsâÂÂ, âÂÂ, âÂÂâÂÂ, âÂÂâÂÂ, âÂÂâÂÂ, âÂÂThomas en SeniorâÂÂ, âÂÂMijn Ideeâ and many others. He also composed the music for among others the TV series âÂÂKant aan mijn BroekâÂÂ, âÂÂVanoude mensen de dingen die voorbij gaanâÂÂ, âÂÂde Verlossingâ and for : âÂÂVamos a VerâÂÂ. His work for television the music was largely arranged by .
Eyk appeared during the FIFA World Cup in 1974 for the Dutch national team in Germany where coach Rinus Michels sang âÂÂDreamlandâ for his players
At the request of Pieter van Vollenhoven, Eyk became part of the grand piano group âÂÂGevleugelds VriendenâÂÂ. He also accompanied Princess Juliana singing two cabaret songs on a single.
Eyk conducted the "Gala of the Century' (100 years Royal Theatre Carré) and made record and CD recordings with Big Band, , , , Alex Hare, The Blue Diamonds, AVRO's children's choir, the Wamas and many more. Eyk was very popular with the KRO television program âÂÂâÂÂ, He was also chairman of the jury of the âÂÂâÂÂ. With lyricist Herman Pieter de Boer, Eyk wrote hits for âÂÂKinderen voor Kinderenâ (Children for Children). Also for the cinematic film Soul Mate (with André van Duin), he wrote the music and Eyk accompanied Hans Teeuwen in his film âÂÂGewoon HansâÂÂ. For the AVRO television program âÂÂâÂÂ, he was for many years a participant and referee. From 1990, Eyk made many performances abroad. At the request of (from Princess Household Appliances), he worked with the famous Master Chef Cas Spijkers fifteen times in Hong Kong. They travelled the world over (Curacao, Chicago, China, Japan, Malaysia) and made various television recordings including âÂÂThe Big Buffet Showâ in Singapore. In Shanghai Eyk in 2005, he made videos for his children's hits (âÂÂOp een onbewoond eilandâÂÂ-On a desert island and Ik heb zo waanzinnig gedroomd- I had such a crazy dreamâÂÂ. These numbers were even sung in Chinese by the Shanghai TV children's choir. In 2011, his composition âÂÂCapriccio' for Strings was performed by The Fancy Fiddlers and in St. Petersburg by the St.Petersburg Chamber Orchestra 'Carpe Diem'.
Eyk was a big cycling fan and was internationally known as a collector of cycling jerseys (only champion and ranking jerseys). This large collection was in 2010 exhibited by the âÂÂLottoâ ( Lottery) in the Library of Rotterdam. He also collected cookbooks.
Eyk wrote tunes for many television programs and performed regularly with other famous artists. He was best known for the theme tune of the NOS Studio Sport programme and for compositions for âÂÂVan Kooten en de BieâÂÂ.
Eyk died on 13 December 2025, at the age of 85.
For the following Dutch television he wrote the theme song;
For the next German television he wrote the theme song;
For the following television programs Eyk was the conductor;
Eyk was also a writer. He published five books on France. He also wrote articles in various magazines, including the magazine âÂÂZakenreisâ (Business trip), âÂÂDe Wijnkrantâ en âÂÂCôte & ProvenceâÂÂ. For 22 years he wrote articles for the former newspaper âÂÂHet Nieuws van de DagâÂÂ. For many years, he had a column in the daily newspaper De Telegraaf. During the Tour de France he wrote daily columns.
Commissioned by Buma / Stemra, he wrote "The Forgotten Chapter" (the Dutch Variety). For Princess Appliances he published several culinary books. (âÂÂLounging with Princessâ and âÂÂVitamin FestivalâÂÂ).
He wrote several other books.