Remembering John Peel

I've just been reminded me that we've passed the five year anniversary of John Peel's death—certainly one of the greatest and most unexpected losses the music and radio realms have ever endured. There was a real majesty to Peel's presence on the radio, and unlike the many hacks and imitators who've since tried to fill the void left by his departure, none of it was part of any marketing strategy on his behalf. Peel came across as a modest and reserved gentleman, and carried himself thusly. His respect for the innumerable artists who performed on his program was abundantly evident, and the praise he earned from those fortunate enough to have worked with him was pretty much universal in tone. John Peel was a class act.

His bio on Wikipedia is a good launchpad for further reading. Posted below are some classic Peel quotes from an email that went around shortly following his death in 2004, all of which acknowledge his wry humor and enviable talents. The closest I ever got to the man's legacy was having the honor to air segments from his syndicated highlights program, Peel Out in the States, on WPRB back in the early 90s. Then as now, it's reassuring to see that he is still regarded as a hero to so many.

___________________

When asked what he would say to George Bush if he was stuck in a room with him:

I'm a bit of a hippy and a peace loving man.....I'd cut the bastard's head off!

On retirement:

I don't plan to retire before I die. I don't like the idea of retirement. I don't want to play golf. I just want to keep doing what I'm doing. I do regard the playing of golf as like entering the antechamber to death. When my mates tell me they've started playing golf, I mentally cross them off the Christmas card list.

Following George Micheal and Aretha Franklin performing a duet on Top Of The Pops:

They say Aretha can make any old rubbish sound good -- and I think she just has.

On Big Black:

Once a week I drive a nail through my foot to remind myself of the stupidity of not going to see them when I had the chance.

Regarding his debut on Top Of The Pops:

In case you're wondering who this funny old bloke is, I'm the one who comes on Radio 1 late at night and plays records made by sulky Belgian art students in basements dying of tuberculosis.

After playing 'Higher State Of Consciousness' by Josh Wink for the second time:

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that sounded better when I played it the other night, at the wrong speed.

After an expansive, brain-frying track by someone like Spacemen 3 or Flying Saucer Attack:

I'm beginning to suspect their spirit of adventure has driven them to experiment with states of mind well beyond those traditionally associated with the consumption of three pints of Old Peculiar.

John Peel once joked he wanted to die while broadcasting. On his 60th birthday he said:

I'd quite like to die on the air but not in a melodramatic way. I would prefer to go during a long track. Then a continuity announcer would come on saying, "John seems to have been taken ill. We will take you over to Radio Two."

Then you'd hear the sound of my heels being dragged down the steps. And that will be that.

Janice Long's favourite Peel quote, from when they introduced David Cassidy on TOTP:

Janice: 'Ooh, I used to have him on my bedroom wall'
Peel: 'That was very athletic of you Janice'

His wonderful on-air legal warnings:

It is my duty to warn you that in the next few hours you may be exposed to language and concepts you find unsettling. If this is the case I suggest you turn over. And here's Fuckatron, on Cunty Records, with "I Sodomised My Dad"

Some advert on his show, for some other awful daytime DJ like Gary Davies said "Gary Davies, playing the best music in the world." To which John replied:

Oh, he plays the Butthole Surfers does he? I must give him a listen.

Tomorrow night, sessions from the Janitors and The Smiths. Two bands with an 'it' in the middle. Very conceptual this programme gets at times.

Comments

[Tim Kastelle]

Great stuff Mike. He was fantastic.

[Chris Mohr]

Late to the party:

"sulky Belgian art students in basements dying of tuberculosis" = Clan of Xymox!

My favorite Peel quote: "Just about my favorite band on earth are the Fall -- or the Mighty Fall, as they're known to me."