Giel Beelen says he has ‘almost begged Radio Veronica to stop’ with his morning program, once he realized that he was no longer in the right place. According to the jock, however, Radio Veronica wanted to keep him on board, Giel says on the BNNVARA website.
The breaking point in the collaboration, according to Giel, was a live performance by Elbow. “That band wanted to play with me. I almost said ‘yes’, but I checked for the form. And Elbow was rejected because the band’s music no longer suited Veronica. I could actually understand that decision, but then I also thought: fuck, I just shouldn’t be here. That was the breaking point for me. ”
Changing course
According to Giel, who went to Radio Veronica three years ago was met, the channel often changed format and course. “Nothing ever changed at 3FM. Well, I haven’t seen that with Veronica. And that was nice too: one doesn’t work, then we’ll try something else ”, he says. “I knew it was not a match, but I wanted to practice the profession well. After all, radio making remains a lot of fun. ”
Giel recently told me that early this year wanted to quit Radio Veronica, but the station kept him on his three-year contract. That changed when Niels van Baarlen became the new channel manager in April. “Suddenly I could decide for myself whether to stay or leave,” says Giel. Still, he said he stayed because of the corona virus and the financial uncertainty.
Because despite the great years at 3FM, Giel has not become rich. “During the time when I was making a lot of fucking money, I hired people or rented a building at the Mediapark. I just spent that money. You don’t have to pity me, but it is certainly not what people say: those pockets are filled. ” And that’s why Beelen said ‘somewhat cowardly’ to Veronica: I’m just going to serve out my contract. “With love, by the way, because I had found that flow.”
Radio 2
At the NPO they knew the situation of Beelen and the request came to join NPO Radio 2, but between 04:00 and 06:00 in the morning. “The proposal came a bit cautiously, I felt it. I thought that was an overestimation of myself, if I’m honest. Because I really appreciate the time of day. You have the listeners just then. In the afternoon you have higher numbers, but then radio is more wallpaper. I think this is the perfect time. ” An additional advantage is that there is less pressure.
Since yesterday Giel can be heard in the early morning hours on Radio 2.
Photo: Michel Schnater | VARA
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