wow, sorry to hear that. I liked his show and recordings a lot. He helped out many bands over the years. At least various Peel sessions will live on.
I'm still in shock but after the night before's cobwebs have dispersed I won't be. Last night was our tribute night to him. Rest In Peace John Peal; 1939-2004
Tomorrow, Friday 29th October 2004 at 12midday... Peel fans are observing 1 minute's noise for John Peel. Play something loud and obnoxious. Personally I shall be playing Melt-Banana.
2mo i will light a white candle, hasa moments thought and plays sex pistols at 12 midday. May John Peel rest in peace.
It has been a huge shock, definitely. Took a good 10 hours before it had sank in even a bit. I caught a glimpse of him at Glastonbury in June, he was up a bit of scaffolding at Spiritualized (Who were playing as it happens in the newly named John Peel Tent). I didn't spot him myself, but someone did and it wasn't long before chants of Johnny Johnny Johnny Peel filled the tent. Slept through the minute's noise today, first thing I thought of playing was 'Metal Machine Music' (Part 4 to be precise ), but I think I'd edged more into Velvet Underground territory before falling asleep. White Light/White Heat maybe. Had the old glass of red and a spliff for him Tuesday night, listened to the Lamaqe trubute again! Radio 1 has been pretty amazing about it all like. RIP John Peel - You'll be missed!
Heard a story on the radio about a Liverpuddlian guy back in the late 60s who'd sent a demo of his band to Peely. Having not heard it on the radio, he and one of his band mates went to London to tell him how they felt about it. When they met, Peel asked them where they were staying. When he found out they were camping out in some park (Kings Park or something?), he let them stay at his house, and phoned the guy's mum to tell them how they were. Was he god or something? I've never heard a single bad thing about him. Compared to some music industry types, that's a pretty big miracle!
He was just a decent, down to earth man. I started writing to him in the nineties and often would get a scrawled postcard in reply. When email came along I became one of his "regular correspondents" and eventually got asked to one of his birthday parties at his house and saw the zimbabwean soukous band the Four Brothers playing in a marquee in his garden, something I'll never forget. He had surprisingly few showbiz friends and his humility meant he never suffered from the self-importance that usually affects people given some celebrity attention. He was just doing his job, which was to listen to music and play the best of it on the radio. He was passionate about music and anyone who shared that interest was his friend. In fact he had a healthy loathing for many people in the music industry who got too big for their boots. He never saw himself as any kind of celebrity or as having any kind of importance. The fact he was so good at his job spoke for itself but he would always deny his own importance in the process. The world has lost probably the single most important and influential person in music culture over the past 40 years but those of us who listened to him feel like we've lost a best friend. Steve Lamacq quoted a story someone sent in where someone had met John and said "meeting you is a dream come true" to which he replied "I think you need to find some bigger and better dreams". Keep it Peel.
Just in case you hadn't heard... Thursday 16th December Radio1 are having a John Peel night - I think it's tied in with this year's festive fifty. 7pm onwards
Great documentary and an evening of music in honour of John on BBC Radio 1 NOW. Lots of 60s and 70s hippy music at the moment for all you hipsters Keep it Peel.
I didn't get tuned in til about midnight thanks to Newcastle United and Alan Robson. Being at work like, with two guys who apparently love their music (an ex-drummer and singer in fact) but never look happy unless it is actually their music. It's Deep Purple and Frank Sinatra or nothing. Oh and Eddie who likes Phil Collins. That poor sod never gets control of the radio! So I'm just listening to the bands now and we're only on to PJ Harvey's second number. Sounding as great as ever of course. I thought the DJ's were pretty marvellous, well except Underworld who didn't really finish off things too well, especially after that crazy Scotch Egg set! It was nice to hear Mary Anne Hobbs pop up and say hang on, there's another two hours yet Close to tears again a few times! It's still really sad. I wonder if 'Keep It Peel' will be an annual event
