An interview with Mr. John Peel

marky · Post by **marky** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:14 am

Probably no one here cares about this - I'm thinking Tommy might be the only one, and even he may not get anything out of it. But just incase, here is the interview with 65 year old British DJ John Peel that I enjoyed quite a bit recently. To the uninitiated, John Peel is...the most amazing DJ that ever lived.
Many of the most gifted and later popularized artists would never have taken hold with the public until he gave things a nudge. That said, I'm not sure my tastes match his by more than 50%. Which only underscores his brilliance, of course.

http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/musi ... ory=556655

marky · Post by **marky** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:22 am

Also please do not get the impression that I have ever heard, or even heard OF any of the bands Peel is quoted in the second paragraph as having announced in 1981 except for The Fall, of course, and the fact that the name Smegma rings a bell. I repeat I have never heard or heard of any of the other bands mentioned.

Tommy Martyn · Post by **Tommy Martyn** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 8:16 pm

Marky,

if you haven't heard from other sources. I am sorry to announce that John Peel died today.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 8:51 pm

no way!

borgy · Post by **borgy** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 1:04 am

yeah, saw the news article from The Guardian. He was 65....

Tommy Martyn · Post by **Tommy Martyn** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 3:23 am

There will be a lot written in a lot of places about this man over the next few weeks. The bbc site will be a good jumping off point. They will probably broadcast something over the web. Everbody should hear the voice of John Peel once.

If you don't know him pop his name in google and follow the trail. More than any other single person, he is responsible for more great music coming out of Britain (and very often breaking foreign bands who couldn't get arrested at home)

Almost everything I have read so far mentions how we will not see his kind again. I should tell you that for a long time in England there were only four stations that could broadcast nationwide. These being the four BBC stations. Radio 1,2,3,and 4. Each station had a different format. Radio four was current affairs and drama. Radio three was classical music. Radio two was easy listening and oldies. Radio one was pop music.

During the day radio one reflected the mainstream charts. Then as the hours progressed it became more alternative. At ten o'clock Monday to Thursday for ,I don't know, 30 Years? It was the John Peel show. This being the BBC there were no commercials or sponsors or fundraising drives. He could play anything he wanted to. You could hear him anywhere too. Britain is a small place and Radio one had the most powerful signal. Given all this power it could have been a disaster but given that John Peel was a genius we have tons of great music that would never have seen the light of day otherwise.

Oh dear. I've gone alll nostalgic and sad. By the time I get to take my kids back home there'll hardly be anything I remember as home left.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 2:16 pm

Stuart was in tears. Said he listened to John Peel for more than half of his life.

Also people should check out the Peel sessions so many great bands did. Alternative takes and b-sides. Joy Division and Happy Mondays had great ones but that is just my taste and the Peel sessions are all over the place.

Tommy Martyn · Post by **Tommy Martyn** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 4:08 pm

I feel sorry for Stuart. John Peel really did change his life. I wonder if he would be living where he lives and be married to his old lady if it wasn't for the seeds sown by JP years ago.

Mc, I would really appreciate it if you gave him my warmest regards. Send me his address if yu have it and I will write him a note.

marky · Post by **marky** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 5:00 pm

I just found out this morning. I'm here at work but I just want to go home and weep. I want the lady I work with to shut the hell up with her chattering doesn't she know JP is gone?

The Peel postcard on my wall will mean a little more to me, I think.

No I just can't digest this yet.

marky · Post by **marky** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 5:23 pm

Tommy I have Stuart's address, but I don't have your email.

marky · Post by **marky** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 8:48 am

John Peel is like the green grass beneath my feet
in a vast curved earth field of nothing BUT grass
and deep darkening bright blue sky to match. See how the
blue and green play off each other. With no sun. Brilliant Blue without sun, today.

The world is blue without sun. But he shall go as they all do.
The world will just be...a darker shade of Blue.

marky · Post by **marky** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 8:55 am

Good god that's terrible! What the hell am I doing - I don't write poetry. Send me through the poetry grinder, will ya Tommy? I do believe I deserve it! Ha ha.

My round.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 3:13 pm

I liked it. It came from the heart and on Pax Acidus that counts too. The only way I can tell if poetry is good is if I liked it and I liked this. Does that make sense?

And another thing, I think you posted on another thread somewhere about using 'liberal' as a dirty word. Well the other night I watched two shows on PBS. The first one was called Rumsefled's War and the other was the life and times of Dr. Seuss. Guess which one was the liberal and guess which one is going to hell.

Tommy Martyn · Post by **Tommy Martyn** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 6:24 pm

Say what you feel my friend.

Tommy Martyn · Post by **Tommy Martyn** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 6:26 pm

As mentioned earlier there are links with sounds attached popping up. The easily accessible slate has an article today.

Bulletin Board of Bad Behavior

An interview with Mr. John Peel

An interview with Mr. John Peel

Marky this ones on me.