Jerry Rubino remembers longtime friend, and WFDU DJ, Jim Riecken
R.I.P. "Your Ol' Pal" Jim Riecken:
I've been trying to figure out all day what to say here. A lot has been going through my head since I first heard last September that Jim only had a year or so to live. Not only about Jim, but life itself.
I first met Jim when I started at WFDU-FM in spring of 1981. He had already been at the station for a few years or so. He, like the other small "new music" staff at the time, all came from different backgrounds and areas of New Jersey. But our love of music brought us together. Many of the on-air personalities at at the station came and went over the years, but Jim never left. He gave up his overnights for a handful of years, and for most of his tenure at the station, spent almost every Saturday night at the station, for the love of music and playing music for the tri-state area that HE thought EVERYONE should like. I don't think he missed more than 5 shows before the beginning of this year. Jim did a lot not only for the artists he played, but built one of the most dedicated group of listeners and station supporters over the years.
All of Jim's shows were an pleasant adventure. Not only musically, but what Jim talked about and ranted about in-between the music. Of course I will miss this, but most of all I will miss the guy who did and said what he believed in.
I'm happy that a few weeks ago I was able to see Jim, chat a bit, listen to him talk about The Bowery Boys and make me smile with him one last time.
As it was best fit, Jim left us all, last night, on a Saturday. He wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I'm gonna miss you big time, Jim........
4 comments:
so very very sorry to hear about jimmy,,i remember him from when he was a little boy,,,my sympathy goes out to his whole family,,,especially his mom,,,much love freda,,,
Thank you, who ever you are, Danny
I am devestated. I listened today Jim for 30 years. The Cure Joy Division The Fall all when it was new. And garage. And MOULDY OLDIES! I think Man Or Astroman got their between song B-movie soundbites from Jim's show. 30 years and we never met in person yet I feel Iost a personal friend. My heart goes out to all his loved ones. - Joe from East Meadow NY.
I know this is old but just found it. I spent many years growing up with my friend Jim. Had a lot of fun and great times with Jim, friends, and family back in the days. Knew him since the 60s. I remember the horror/space films we used to make, and Ruckmans Pond was our second home. We both were hyped on our imaginations and had a lot of fun expressing them. I saw a few old recordings of Jim at the radio station and yeah, that's my pal Jim alright. I got a hold of Jimmy through a member of the Closter FB page and emailed him just before he passed, wanting to get together again since I found out where he was and was talking about the past. He emailed me back and I wanted to go see him but he said he wasn't doing very good and told me what he had. I emailed back and I still wanted to see him as we haven't communicated since our younger years, and after awhile I got a reply from a woman which I can't remember her name right now and she told me Jim had passed. Wow. I looked him up and found some articles about him and how his life wasn't that great but what a great person he was, and then I heard older Jim on the radio station recording, and yes that's my pal Jim. I did find out as I was asking about old recordings or the old 8mms we made back then because we made a ton and heard he had a fire where he lost everything. I am glad I got in touch with him and did get to mention how good of a friend him and his family were. I tried in the past to get a hold of him but I didn't have FB back then. Not very religious but something told me to get a hold of him. I'll miss you forever, friend. From R. Ellis
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