Paradiso, Melkweg co-founder Willem de Ridder passes
The iconic Amsterdam music venues opened more than 50 years ago and have hosted artists including David Bowie, Prince and Nirvana
News By Lisa Henderson | 4 January 2023
Willem de Ridder, co-founder of iconic Amsterdam venues Paradiso and Melkweg, passed away aged 83. The Dutch national died peacefully last Thursday (29 December) after “a short-term illness”, according to his website.
Willem de Ridder, co-founder of iconic Amsterdam venues Paradiso and Melkweg, passed away aged 83.
The Dutch national died peacefully last Thursday (29 December) after “a short-term illness”, according to his website.
De Ridder, along with others, founded the 1,500-capacity Paradiso (formerly known as Cosmic Relaxation Center Paradiso) in 1968.
“Everyone sat on the floor, smoked joints and there were projections with liquid slides,” said De Ridder about the early days of Paradiso. “Anyone who wanted to could do something on stage and as a DJ I played whatever people gave me. Everyone in power.”
Paradiso has hosted artists…
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