Farewell to Federico “The Flying Dutchman,” a legendary voice of Italian radio
Federico “The Flying Dutchman,” the pseudonym of Frederik Matthijs van Stegeren, has passed away at the age of 76. The news of his death came just a few hours after reports that he had been admitted to the intensive care unit in Monopoli, in Puglia, where he passed away on Friday surrounded by the love of his family and friends.
Born in Deventer, the Netherlands, on April 19, 1950, Federico was one of the leading figures in Italian radio. Even before becoming a familiar voice to millions of listeners, he had taken his first steps in the world of Dutch pirate radio, working for Radio Veronica, a station that broadcast from a ship off the Dutch coast to evade the state monopoly. It was during those years that artistic director Noel Coutisson gave him the nickname “The Flying Dutchman,” a moniker that would stay with him throughout his career.
His big break came with Radio Monte Carlo, where he helped write an important chapter in the history of Italian radio. He later moved to Rai Radio 2 and then to Radio 105, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in the industry. Also unforgettable was his long tenure at RTL 102.5, where he was one of the station’s iconic voices for over fifteen years thanks to the program “The Flight.”
As a host, DJ, record producer, and writer, Federico navigated very different eras without losing his identity. His passion for rock and music accompanied him throughout his life, as did his connection to the microphone. This is also evident in the final years of his career: after his stint at Radio Norba, which ended in late 2024, he returned to the airwaves for several special occasions and embarked on a new adventure at RadioFreccia, confirming that he never intended to leave the world of radio entirely.
Author of the books “Il Principato” and “Il cartello olandese,” Federico “l’Olandese Volante” leaves behind a professional legacy intertwined with the history of modern radio in Italy. With his passing, we lose one of the last great voices of the generation that transformed radio into a cultural phenomenon, accompanying millions of listeners through decades of music, storytelling, and innovation.
