www.nme.com/features/110323.htm
It was a fitting tribute to a man whose dedication and unerring passion f or all that was fresh and vital and youthful and vigorous about music sa w him reject the dictats and mores of broadcasting to pursue a singular path launching the career of hundreds of bands, and soundtracking the yo uth of millions of music fans. Born John Robert Parker Ravenscoft in Heswall, near Liverpool, in 1939, P eel was the son of the wealthy owner of a cotton mill.
"Where there had be en nothing there was suddenly something." In 1959, after National Service, Peel moved to America where Beatlemania soon took hold. The Liverpool connection helped Peel land a spot as DJ o n WRR radio in Dallas. He moved back to England in 1967, where he first joined Radio London, before moving to BBC Radio 1 for its launch. He was to remain with the station for the rest of his life, the only original DJ. His style was immediately different to other presenters. He played the re cords from start to finish without interruption which later became usefu l if you wanted to tape the tracks - providing an informative commentary for listeners. During his early period, Peel was a friend and supporter of some of the biggest names in rock.
As the years rolled on, the scope of his radio show widened. He moved bet ween gum-bleeding German techno, world music and the occasional Roy Orbi son hit with ease even if it was sometimes a little taxing for his legio ns of fans. Until recently, a place on his annual countdown of the best singles of the year Peels Festive 50> was a much sought-after berth for bands on independent labels. His award winning Home Tr uths programme on BBC Radio Four grew into a must-hear for middle-aged l isteners in middle England. And his spots on the BBCs Grumpy Old Men a s eries featuring irritated men of a certain age riling against the things they found most absurd about modern life were frequently the funniest a nd most telling. Balding, a little plump, a devoted father, grandfather and husband not to mention a big fan of genteel radio series The Archers, Peel kicked open the door for people like Steve Lamacq and Zane Lowe, letting the mainst ream programmers see that an audience existed for music that was not alw ays a chart fixture. John Peel often told the story hearing Teenage Kicks for the first time. He was driving in his car listening to the song on a demo tape. He was s o overcome by the tune that he pulled onto the side of the road to have a cry. There are thousands of people across Britain today who will have had a si milar experience on hearing of his untimely death.
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