For my parent’s generation it was JFK, everybody knew where they were when they heard the news that the American president had been shot. Learning of a well-loved figure’s demise is shocking, and sometimes causes one to be able to recall the moment of hearing the news with a vivid clarity. I can remember three such examples of this in my life, Kurt Cobain – I was painting my teenage bedroom whilst listening to Jakki Brambles on Radio 1. Princess Diana - I had accidentally left my TV on all night and awoke at around 6am to the news that she had been in a traffic accident and sat glued to the television as the story unfolded throughout the day. The third example was John Peel.
John Peel at Glastonbury in 2002
I was at work at The Press Association on 25 October 2004 when reports came through that the iconic DJ had suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 65. Peel was a hugely important and influential figure in the world of music broadcasting, and in my world too. The terrible news spread rapidly amongst his listeners, musicians and the general public alike. It felt like everyone knew within minutes as people communicated the news to each other in a world that had not yet dreamt up twitter.
It was big blow for myself, not only for the obvious reasons, but because only a few days before, the band I was in, Stuffy &The Fuses received confirmation that we had been invited to do a Peel session – the Holy Grail for any self-respecting indie band. ‘Gutted’ didn’t quite cover it.
Thankfully for us the producers of his show, which continued to run with Rob Da Bank (and later Huw Stephens and Ras Kwame) at the helm, decided to honour all of the sessions that John had arranged. So we did get to record in hallowed Maida Vale studios, and our performance was eventually broadcast in February 2005. It was a terribly bittersweet affair for us all, huddled round the radio in the early hours listening to our Peel session, minus the Peel.
Stuffy and the Fuses Peel session details.
Almost everyone I know has an anecdote about the legendary DJ, whether it be about his work, or how they met him, or how he introduced them to their favourite band via his show. He was loved and respected by generations of music fans and so it is no surprise that his legacy lives on, through events like John Peel Day, the John Peel Lectures and tributes such as his monikered stage at Glastonbury and the ‘Peel Wing’ of Broadcasting House in London, to mention a few.
Last year, The John Peel Centre for Creative Arts, a non-profit, community-owned Arts based facility run by volunteers was set up in Stowmarket, not far from ‘Peel Acres’, John’s home, which housed his huge record collection some of which was recently archived online by the Space in partnership with the Arts Council and the BBC.
John Peel at his home studio in Peel Acres, Suffolk
Had he lived, this weekend would have seen John Peel turn 75. To commemorate his birth date and mark ten years since his passing, BBC Radio 6Music are broadcasting a number of shows paying tribute to the ‘alternative music’ champion. These include My Top Ten, a special 6Music Live Hour, and John Peel Remembered with contributions from Steve Lamacq, Mary Anne Hobbs and Lauren Laverne. This week’s Now Playing @6Music with Tom Robinson is also after your suggestions for the ultimate Peel sessions playlist. Is it wrong to suggest your own band?
Happy birthday JP, and thankyou.
Jen Macro is digital content producer, About the BBC Blog and Website.
