Willem van Kooten, also known by his DJ name Joost den Draaijer, passed away yesterday at the age of 83. The Top 40 Foundation and Radio Veronica reported this on Friday evening.
Van Kooten is seen as the founder of hit radio in the Netherlands, but in addition to his media career he was active as a businessman. He is known in Drenthe as a major shareholder of the spring water company Anl’eau. That water was produced in Anloo by drinking water company WMD. In 2019, WMD stopped production and the brand was sold.
Van Kooten is also the man behind the band Red, White & Blue. He wanted to found a Dutch supergroup, following the example of Blind Faith and Humble Pie. Van Kooten brought Harry Muskee and Eelco Gelling together in 1975, three years after the breakup of Cuby + Blizzards. The supergroup was completed by guitarist Frank Nuyens, bassist Lourens Leeuw and drummer Herman van Boeijen.
The name Red, White & Blue was coined by Golden Earring singer Barry Hay. Earring guitarist George Kooymans produced the album. Lender Van Kooten’s idea never really got off the ground. Muskee didn’t get along with Van Boeijen and the album flopped.