Richard Damen

Richard Damen, better known under his artist name Rijk or Richard Rijk (died 10 June 2020), was a Dutch radio producer, radio presenter and DJ.[1]

Career

When he was 15 years old, he produced together with René Vercruyssen radio in era it was illegal in the Netherlands. On Sunday they made radio programs every week from another location, afraid of being caught by the police. Later their Radio Benelux was live 24 hours per day. When local radio became allowed, and there was already a local radio broadcaster, they went commercial. They started making radio programs for the whole province. From Sint-Michielsgestel for Den Bosch, from Goirle for Tilburg, from Nuenen for Eindhoven and also from Helmond and Breda. [1]

For his passion of making radio programs, he founded with Jan Tiebosch Radio 8FM. They had both 50% under their TiDa B.V.. Due to his work for the radio but also due to his work as a deejay at discotheques he became known. After 2019 Radio 8FM became Radio 10 Brabant. [1]

According to Vercruyssen, Damen was a forerunner, with playing different kinds of people, calling people live on the radio and joking with them. [1]

Damen retired from broadcasting in September 2015, saying, “After all these years, it is enough”. He died on 10 June 2020, aged 55.[1][2][3]

Artist name

His artist name Rijk came from the fact that he liked Johnny (Johny Kraaijkamp) and Rijk (Rijk De Gooyer). He used Rijk as it sounded good.[1]

References
  1. "Richard Damen (Rijk), kwajongen op de radio, op 55-jarige leeftijd overleden". bd.nl.
  2. "Oprichter Radio 8FM Richard Damen overleden". June 11, 2020.
  3. Nieuwsredactie, Gemaakt door (June 12, 2020). "Richard Damen (Rijk) overleden".
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