john peel r.i.p

the great peel sessions producer fell ill and died while vacationing in peru.......r.i.p

This is the most distressing news i've heard sine Johnny Cash died, John Peel was the greatest DJ ever, no more will bands hear their first song on the radio played at the wrong speed, i allways worried about the state of brittish radio once he retired but Pelly being dead is just unthinkable.

Here, Here

A great radio DJ - definitely not like 99.9% of US disc jockeys who have to play tunes chosen by a computer (and rely on purchased "jokes" to enetrtain the massses).

i loved listening to him when i was in the UK and kept listening to him after on Radio 1's web-site.

i hope that i'm as open-minded about music when i hit my 60s.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/altnews/041026_john_peel.shtml?rhppromo

Wierd. After all these years (since the 80s) of knowing the name John Peel, and the 'Peel Sessions' I had only just a couple of weeks ago discovered his show on-line at the BBC website. Finally I was hearing the voice of this legendary DJ. Funny how life is like that. And we lost Scott Muni (DJ legend in NYC) just last month.

God speed Mr. Peel.

Very sad news for music fans and bands alike. The man is a legend.

He was described on the news last night (the main headline) as the most important man in the history of British music.

A list of his "discoveries" published today is difficult to believe unless you understand the symbiotic nature of the British/American music scene and the strange way we set up our radio stations in the UK . (ie - No college stations - just a few nationwide commercial and public service stations attempting to cover the spectrum of music and talk).

Here's a few from the list: Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Beefheart, Bowie, T-Rex, Bob Marley, Ramones, Clash, Cure, Joy Division, Grandmaster Flash, Smiths, Pogues, Public Enemy, Pixies, Nirvana, Orbital, Blur, P J Harvey, White Stripes etc etc. I know it's difficult to believe these, but he genuinely played them when nobody outside of a few hipsters had heard of them.

Concentrating on the ones who went on to be legends just touches a side of John Peel's love of music. I don't know of any radio show on earth that could leap from 'The Bhundu Boys' to 'Extreme Noise Terror' via a ten minute Aphex Twin interlude and make it sound like the most natural thing on earth. His love of the music just flowed through the speakers and his ego was non-existant. I wrote to him many years ago for a copy of his 'Festive 50' (his favourite tunes of the past year) and asked him to sign it. His signature was so small you could hardly see it. He was from a different planet from the one all the other DJ's came from.

Personally, I spent my teenage years listening to his evening show with a finger over the record button, waiting to tape the sounds that would shape my record collection. I still have those tapes, but the one I'll treasure most is the one I put together of his banter between the songs. We won't hear anything like his enthusiasm, humour and humanity again.

Trader Woody

Wow, Trader Woody, that certainly is a tribute to the man. And I'm sure well deserved. Much like Donhonyc, I heard his name often in the 80s and saw recordings of specific Peel Sessions (like New Order and The Cure) for sale at the import record shops. I was always curious, but never got to hear the real thing. I never had any idea of how long his career really was. I'm glad I know more about him now, even if it is a bit late. Maybe they'll play some old shows on the webcast in tribute.

This man did more for the promotion and advancement of intersting pop music than, perhaps, anyone else, ever.

BBC hits back at claim that Peel died of overwork
By Adam Sherwin, Media Reporter
THE BBC has rejected claims from one of its DJs that John Peel was “worn out” and felt marginalised by the corporation before his death from a heart attack.

Andy Kershaw, a close friend of Peel who presents a world music show on Radio 3, said that changes to Peel’s schedule at Radio 1 had affected his health. “The last time I saw him he looked absolutely worn out,” Kershaw said. “We went to a café near Radio 1 and I said, ‘John, you look terrible.’

“He said: ‘They’ve moved me to 11pm to one at night and the combination of that and Home Truths (his Radio 4 show) is killing me.’ He felt he had been marginalised.”

Peel, acclaimed for discovering fresh musical talent over four decades, died aged 65 on Monday after suffering a heart attack during a working holiday in Peru.

Peel broadcast on Radio 1 three times a week in the 10pm-midnight slot until July, when he was moved to the 11pm-1am slot.

The change was made to give a wider audience to new specialist music shows. Critics suggested that Peel’s more “awkward” music was being shunted to the early hours in a push to secure younger listeners. However Peel had agreed to the changes after a meeting with Andy Parfitt, the controller of Radio 1.

The Times understands that Mr Parfitt was so concerned at the allegations made by Kershaw that Peel’s studio producers were asked yesterday if he had made any complaints to them. They said that he had not. BBC executives were furious with Kershaw, a former Radio 1 DJ who considered Peel his mentor. One said: “It is extremely distressing that Andy should say this. John was fully supportive of the changes — he even said that the late finish meant clearer roads when he drove back to East Anglia.”

Peel rejected the option to pre-record his Radio 1 shows, broadcasting two programmes a week live from London and the Thursday programme from a studio at his home.

Radio 1 limited its official response to a statement that read: “Everyone at the BBC is shocked and upset by John’s sudden death. At a time when his family are still in deep mourning — out of respect for them — this is not the time to make remarks or to comment.”

But Radio 1 could not guarantee that the eclectic Peel musical mix, which ranged from African pop to drum and bass, would survive. Presenters Steve Lamacq and Mary Anne Hobbs will fill in until a decision is taken on replacement.

A Radio 1 spokesman said: “John is irreplaceable. Radio 1’s commitment to new music will be reflected in late-night programmes which are a fitting tribute to him.”

Thousands of listeners have left tributes on the website, and the BBC will consult on plans for a memorial with his family.

The Glastonbury Festival, Britain’s biggest open-air music event, will honour Peel by naming its new bands’ tent after him.

Peel’s widow, Sheila, will be consulted over publication of an unfinished autobiography which Transworld Books had paid £1.2 million to acquire.

His last shows for the BBC world service (recorded before his fateful visit to Peru) are being webcast here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/alt/johnpeel/index.shtml

Trader Woody