Jonathan Moore Daniel (better known as ‘Jody’)

Jonathan was born at the 9th of July 1951 in London, in a rather well-to-do British family. His grandfather is an archeologist and art connoisseur, who as such creates a substantial family fortune. His mother dies quite soon after his birth; his father is a Major in the Britsh army and prefers fast cars and blondines to art. Not being capable or willing to raise his son himself, he sends Jonathan to Swiss boarding schools, where, in his own words,  at least he learns how to ski quite well.

Back in London J. lives in the East End, where he becomes acquainted with the world of sex, drugs and rock&roll. He starts writing songs, playing the guitar and driving (British) bikes. Fortunately he manages to come clean from heroin, in a special clinic, founded by a doctor’s family in Esher, later to become his substitute family.
 
In 1973, in order to protect himself from the seductions in London, J. decides to go to the South of France for some healthy grapepicking. He meets some students from Nijmegen, who invite him to visit them after the season. Much to their surprise, J. does actually turn up in Nijmegen, where he soon finds a place of his own, He likes Holland and decides to stay for a while. He finds a job as a dish washer in the infamous restaurant ‘De Karseboom’ (expensive but not tasty). He also does occasional gigs as a folk singer in the Nijmegen pub circuit. There he meets Vera Groen, with whom he will later start the ‘SpeedTwins’, after they have moved to Arnhem.

Arnhem, according to Jonathan, has better r&r vibes than Nijmegen. Soon he is a well-known personality in Arnhem centre, because of his British sense of humour, big mouth, punk outfit, and drinking habits. In 1977,  the SpeedTwins are born (For info on the SpeedTwins history we refer to other links on this page).

Meanwhile J. turns out to be the rightful heir to the fortune of his uncle and aunt, who own extensive property in Yorkshire. When he finally becomes a wealthy man, he moves to a.o. New York and Greece, and settles in Andorra with his British spouse Sharon. One summer day in 1984 he is driving his bike on the dangerous coastal road from Andorra to Barcelona, taking a friend to the airport. Very unlike him, he is not wearing a helmet at the time. When a car crashes into them Jonathan dies almost instantly. He is buried in Surrey, England.