Sir John Peel Dies
A sad day for music.
28th October 2004 · Last updated: 5th October 2016
I was going to post about this two nights ago but was too upset. But the post here said it all for me:
Like many people I was shocked by the sad loss of this outstanding DJ on Tuesday 26 October 2004. Of course he was more than that - a successful radio and TV presenter, columnist and more. Put simply, an inspiration to so many. He was the man behind a seemingly infinite number of bands who would probably never have made it without him. The list is too long to give you here. It was so touching to hear every DJ and news announcer talk about him on the radio, the DJs each playing songs by bands he liked or helped in some way. How fitting that organisers are to rename a stage after him at the Glastonbury Festival.
I could tell you dozens of funny moments he gave us. I still have clips from many of his radio shows when I used to listen as a lad. I might even put some pieces together to share with you later. For now let's be glad he lasted so long - the only DJ remaining at Radio 1 from when they started in the 60s - and enjoy the music he undoubtedly helped emerge, whether it was rock, punk, reggae, hip-hop, electronic, bhangra or any of the many styles he pioneered. For without him, we'd probably be listening to a lot blander music. He was one of the first to play singles by acts ranging from The Beatles to Goldie Lookin Chain. Respect is indeed due. Sir John Peel O.B.E, we salute you.
Comments (3)
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- Chris Hester:
This was actually posted in my newsfeed the night before, but I thought it was worthy of a proper post here.
Posted on 28 October 2004 at 8:02 pm ¶ - Stuart:
Chris - I couldn't agree more (and that goes for many, many others too - no-one seems to have a bad word to say about The Man)
As I said in the posting on my website on Tuesday [Oct 26th], I'm generally not inclined towards massive outpourings of grief, but after listening for many years to Peely's humour, his self-deprecating wit, and his massively wide range of music, I do believe that I actually shed a tear as though losing a friend.
John Peel was one of the greats of music and, as you say, we DO truly salute him.
Stuart
Posted on 29 October 2004 at 2:39 pm ¶ - Stuart:
Chris, it turns out that you were correct regarding a 'working holiday', as this report <http://tinyurl.com/4tjf7> in the Telegraph Travel section reveals...
Posted on 30 October 2004 at 2:52 am ¶