Jan Donkers
Jan Donkers | |
|---|---|
| Born | Johannes Mattheus Donkers 15 June 1943 Amsterdam, German-occupied Netherlands |
| Died | 19 April 2026 (aged 82) Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Other name | Gonzo |
| Alma mater | University of Amsterdam |
| Occupations | Journalist, radio presenter, writer |
| Known for | Pop music journalism and radio programmes for VPRO |
Jan Donkers (15 June 1943 – 19 April 2026) was a Dutch journalist, radio presenter and writer who became known for his long association with VPRO.[1][2][3]
Life and career
Donkers was born in Amsterdam and grew up in Amsterdam-Noord. He studied sociology at the University of Amsterdam and served on the editorial staff of Propria Cures between 1965 and 1966.[1][3]
In the 1960s, Donkers worked as a pop music critic for de Volkskrant and an editor of the underground weekly Aloha/Hitweek. In that period, he interviewed musicians such as Frank Zappa, John Lennon and Janis Joplin.[1] At VPRO, together with Wim Noordhoek, he helped launch De Joe Blow Show, and later presented programmes such as Gonzo Radio, Gonzo's Last Stand and Gonzo's Return.[2][4] His nickname "Gonzo" referred to the style of gonzo journalism associated with Hunter S. Thompson.[2]
As an author, Donkers made his prose debut with Opgeruimde verhalen in 1973. From 1974, he was a co-editor of De Revisor. His books included Amerika, Amerika (1982) and the novel Donkeyville USA (1994). He also wrote Zo dicht bij Amsterdam, a journalistic book about Amsterdam-Noord, and translated work by F. Scott Fitzgerald.[1][3] He also contributed to publications including De Groene Amsterdammer, Haagse Post and Nieuwe Revu.[1]
Later in his career, Donkers recorded more than 100 audiobooks. He continued broadcasting into his eighties; after leaving VPRO, his final radio programme was Gonzo's Return on NH Gooi.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Oud-journalist Jan Donkers (82) overleden, radiomaker met markante stem". NOS (in Dutch). 20 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 de Bruin, Katja (20 April 2026). "Journalist en radiomaker Jan Donkers (82) overleden". VPRO 3voor12 (in Dutch).
- 1 2 3 "Donkers, Jan". DBNL (in Dutch).
- ↑ "Jan Donkers: 'Ik haat nostalgie!'". VPRO 3voor12 (in Dutch). 24 June 2003.
External Links
- Jan Donkers at IMDb
- Jan Donkers discography at Discogs