Farewell, John Peel

You will be missed...

from JoeUser Forums

This might not mean a whole lot to you unless you've spent any time in the UK...

Radio One legend John peel has passed away at the age of 65.

John was with Radio One from it's beginning in 1967.  He helped launch many bands in the UK that other DJ's had labelled 'unlistenable' simply by giving them airtime on his show....bands and artisits that went on to be greats, such as Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Ramones, Jane's Addiction and The White Stripes.  He used to encourage unknown bands to send their demo tapes to him...he'd listen to all of them, they play what he considered to be the best ones on his show.

I remember laying awake at night (his show was one around 10pm, from what I can remember) and listening to his familar gruff voice....

...*sigh* ...he will be missed.

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721 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have never spend any time in the UK, but it is a huge loss for music, as he was someone who liked to break a lot of new artists in.... which is a rare thing in corporate radio these days.

The world needs more men like you Mr. Peel... and I fear you may be one of the last.... its a sad, sad day for music. :(
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

he was someone who liked to break a lot of new artists in.... which is a rare thing in corporate radio these days.

Exactly.  Bands these days come pre-packaged, it seems.....John liked those who were raw and unwrapped, if you get what I mean.

It is a sad day for music....

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Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Jimi Hendrix and the Ramones? This guy rocks in my book.

Oh, I wish you could have heard his show, Zwei.  He had this slight Liverpudlian accent, and he didn't use a lot of superfluous words...he just said what he thought, and played tunes that no other DJ would touch.  You never knew what you were going to get on his show...a mix of reggae, blues, metal, grunge, rock, hip-hop.....it was an amazing show.

I don't think there will ever be another one like him.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
John Peel's Bio from the Free Dictionary site. Some good links on there to explore his career.