October 26, 2004
Goodbye John Peel
I’ve just read the incredibly sad news reporting the death of radio DJ John Peel.
As you may guess (if you’ve visited my weblog before) I’m generally not inclined to giving gushing compliments, but in the case of John Peel, I feel that I have to make an exception. This man had a fantastic (and extensive) musical knowledge and combined with his enthusiastic yet gentle self-deprecating manner, makes him, in my eyes, the greatest radio DJ there has EVER been! In many ways, I’m convinced that my own experience and enjoyment of a wide range of musical genres can largely be attributed to this one man. I am sure that those who also had the pleasure to hear his radio shows over the years would have to agree with me.
He died after suffering a heart attack on holiday in Peru with his wife Sheila, on what Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt described as the holiday of a lifetime
.
My deepest, deepest sympathies and condolences go out to his family - the world of music will be all the poorer without his influence.
