In Memory of Joop ter Zee
Article Index
Apart from a few months in 1982, Joop presented pxs for FRS-Holland for almost 20 years. Two decades. Remember his FRS Golden Show, the International Listeners' Letter Show from which he was co-presenter, Sounds Alternatives and the Short SW Parade. Sounds Alternatives is perhaps the most famous and best known show he produced. That was during most of the 1980s. Joop had an eye for those unknown or less known artists/ records. And Sounds Alternatives was thé programme in which all that great stuff was played. U2, Simple Minds (in the beginning of their careers), New Musik, Any Trouble, Colourfield, the Photos, the Buggles, Firefall, the Associates....just to name a few. Joop also participated in FRS goes DX magazine writing the Alternative Thoughts column in his very own, unique style. He was the one creating the first ever FRS website in the late 1990s.
In my eyes he was a very talented, creative radio personality. Both his jingles/promos and radio shows were without any doubt "Just a bit different" propagating the FRS philosophy. Fast-moving, with a great musical choice and loads of those funny, sometimes crazy jingles he entertained thousands of European SW enthusiasts over those almost 20 years. Many DXers loved his direct style of programmes. Joop built up a good reputation. I guess the words spoken by former FRS jock Mark Stafford are very right and goes for many FRS listeners: "I never met Joop Ter Zee but obviously felt like I knew him having listened over the years and having been part of the FRSH team. I will always remember him doing crazy things and saying just what he thought. I mean that in a very nice way! It's strange when a radio person dies. Even if you didn't ever meet him, you knew him like a friend."
Together Joop and I produced the 4½ hour "10 Years in the Life of FRS-Holland" documentary in 1990. For us a milestone. Almost 200 hours of spare time were put into that project. And inOctober 1999- we completed the production of the first FRS-Holland Jingle CD. For Joop and me a document because it represents the evaluation of FRSH jingles through the years, right from the very beginning in 1980 till the Millennium set late 1999. Every time I planned a FRS broadcast, I discussed the ideas with Joop. FRS was carried by both of us together with tx engineer Bobby Speed, also a man from the first moment.
Without knowing Joop presented his very final FRSH show in May 2000 before he left for Crete. He recorded a 60 minute programme which was aired in the early morning of Sunday May 28th as a test to North America.
Joop- the Zeeman- ter Zee...he is sadly missed as a friend and radio friend. What is left are all those good memories. In my mind but also in our huge tape archive. I will cherish them. Joop, friend, thank you for all those great years.
Peter Verbruggen
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