In 1969 Paul Rans (voice, guitar, lute, sackbut), Wiet Van de Leest (violin, tenor guitar, banjo, voice)and Dirk Lambrechts (guitar)founded a band called RUM.
Paul and Wiet subsequently worked as a duo for a while, but were soon joined by Dirk Van Esbroeck (voice, guitar, mandolin, tin whistle, oboe).

Over the next ten years they recorded four LPs – the last also in the company of singer Vera Coomans and guitarist Juan Masondo - with mainly Flemish traditional music and songs in modern arrangements.

These caught the spirit of the times and RUM was extremely popular in French speaking Wallonia as well as in Flanders and elsewhere. Their tours brought them regularly to the Netherlands, Germany, England, Ireland, France and Switzerland. The word ‘legendary’ is used quite often nowadays when people reminisce about RUM.

In 2005 Paul Rans, Wiet Van de Leest and Dirk Van Esbroeck - the three original band members - reunited for a tour with Laïs and for some other projects. Sadly, however, Dirk Van Esbroeck died on 23 May 2007.

His musical friends - and there were many - gave a number of concerts as a moving tribute to Dirk. The full houses and the immense public interest made it clear how popular and how loved he was. His music, his songs and all the good memories make sure his spirit will live on.

… RUM, legendary folk band in Belgium …

… Groupe emblématique du folk flamand …

… caused a furore in the seventies …

Stop Press:

Spring 2005: Release of a 2-CD+DVD Long Box containing the first four RUM LPs from the 1970s, as well as unreleased film and interviews (Universal Music).

May - Oct 2005: Laïs and the original Rum united in concert. Thalassa! Thalassa! a programme around the sea