John Peel Slips This Mortal Coil

[snarkyman]

I heard this directly from BBC News this morning. John was on holiday with his wife in Peru and suffered a massive heart attack.

John Peel was a legendary BBC Radio 1 DJ who, over the last 40 years, introduced entire genres of music to the listening public in the UK and around the world. Some Peel Sessions continue to be the best introduction to new music, even 25 years after their release.

My most recent experience with a Peel Session was PJ Harvey, recorded live at John Peel's home and played on 6 Music. It was absolutely amazing.

Thank you, John Peel, for introducing us to so much great music. You will be sorely missed. Rest in peace. Your work here is done.

Here's the article from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3955289.stm

John's Page on BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/alt/johnpeel/

The Peel Sessions
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/alt/johnpeel/sessions/index.shtml

Comments

[sapphorlando.livejournal.com]

It's odd, though perhaps poetically fitting, that I first got the news from the prog-rock community that I co-mod with Lori. The first thing I did when I found out was to call one of my associate directors (in my tiny, fledgling radio company), who is from London and actually knows the old boy. Peel has had some connections here in La Prov: He was a big fan of a local frenetic noise act, Lightning Bolt, and even auctioned off their broken drum sticks on this show. He will be sorely missed.