Radio DJ Koen Wijn stepped early on Tuesday morning on the bike in Oudenbosch for his search for top 900 votes. His journey brought him for a fresh dive in Steenbergen to a special mixing table in Bergen op Zoom and an emotional conversation in Etten-Leur. Even a downpour couldn’t stop him.
The day started early on Tuesday for Koen. At seven he was ready in Oudenbosch to get on the bike. His first stop was at the Bakhuys Dinteloord. There they had made a special top 900 pastry. It was difficult to resist the temptation, but Koen managed to hold back.
Fresh dive
“I was allowed to enjoy sausage rolls that were ready for us,” says the radio DJ. With a well -filled stomach, he stepped by bike towards the outdoor swimming pool in Steenbergen a little later. “The swimming pool is open for the water lovers for a few weeks,” explains Koen. “It was pleasantly busy today. There were people who left after ten laps and enthusiasts who swam for more than an hour and returned later in the day.” He understands why, because the water was ‘delicious’. “
After the fresh dive, Koen was able to continue to Bergen op Zoom where he had an appointment with pop journalist Jean-Paul Heck. The two music lovers took a seat behind the iconic mixing table where on July 13, 1985 the guitar sounds of Brian May, The Edge, Mark Knopfler and Pete Townshend, among others, were alternated with the voices of Sting, David Bowie, Elton John and Paul McCartney. “You feel when you come in there that you have something special for you,” says Koen enthusiastically.
Love for your child
Later in the day the DJ made a round at Seppe airport, Breda International Airport, to continue his way to Etten-Leur. Manfred Jongenelis, producer of hits such as Amalia and nice thing, waited for him. The two talked to each other about the song I Wanna Know What Love is from the foreigner. Manfred lost both his daughters at a young age due to a metabolic disease and complications of chickenpox. He told Koen how he took his daughter home after she had died. “When he got into the car with his daughter in his arms, that song was on. If he still hears that song, he is gone. According to him, sincere love you have for your child.” There is no doubt that the number of the Foreigner is on Manfreds list.
With a blue poncho on, Koen stepped on the bike towards Raamsdonksveer. “It came out of the sky with bins, but I didn’t care,” he says. “It was good to take a moment to let everything sink in and in perspective.”
Bruce Springsteen Fan
The last appointment was planned for none other than Andy Marcelissen. What many people just don’t know about him is that he is a gigantic Bruce Springsteen fan. “If Bruce has to perform somewhere nearby, he goes there and is waiting for three days to stand in the front and admire him.”
Good news for Koen, because his bike ride was gone again after the visit to Raamsdonksveer. He ended the day with a well -deserved hamburger and a hot shower.
You can vote for the Top 900 via this link.
