John Peel has died

[Badger]

John Peel has passed away following a heart attack whilst in Peru. He was possibly the greatest broadcaster that British radio has ever seen. His career spanned forty years and he was Radio 1's longest serving DJ.

[MbrunoB]

A very sad time,he formed a large part of my musical taste`s.

I just to lay in bed and listen to him on the radio until I fell asleep in the late seveties/early eighties.

 

R.I.P.

[MK James]

 

Such a shame. He brought many great bands to the nation's (and my) attention. Spent plenty nights staying up to tape 'Peel Sessions' and 'Festive 50's'- like most of his regular listeners I owe virtually my entire collection to his influence. What was great for me about John's shows was that you never knew what was coming up next, you'd get a track by The Fall, perhaps then a reggae number, then some thrash metal band, a country record from the 40's. For me, that's how radio should be. He was also a great presenter, he'd play the records at the wrong speeds, accidentally play entirely the wrong track- then just laugh it off - great stuff.

 

Rest in peace John.

[Big J R]

I used to love watching him doing the revues from the Glastonbury Festival every year on BEEB TV !

 

He'll be sadly missed.

[SteveP]

I loved coming home and replaying the Glastonbury festivals on video and John Peel always seemed to get it.

 

I think he really was one of a kind. I can't think of anyone who has ever had a bad word to say about him. Just a genuine unpretentious ordinary bloke, who happened to know a huge amount about music.

[Colin, Germany]

Quote:

John Peel ... was possibly the greatest broadcaster that British radio has ever seen.

Alongside John Arlott, of course.

I very much enjoyed listening to John Peel on pirate radio before he started broadcasting for Radio 1. When I moved to Germany, I missed listening to his programmes.