October 2004

John Peel, RIP

Very few people in the US know who John Peel was. Until his death on October 25, he was a music presenter on BBC's Radio 1. He had championed new and different music on his show since 1967. It is a shame that he will no longer be on the air.

Peel described his show as "A balance between things that you know people will like and things that you think people will like." He held his show up to a standard that most US college radio stations only dream of living up to. The John Peel show carried with is a credibility few have. When he said a band was worth listening to, I paid careful attention.

Today, I am going to listen to the Peel tributes on the radio. Around 5PM, when his show would have been on the Internet, I'll have a drink. On my walk home, I'll listen to the New Order sessions recorded for John Peel's 40th anniversary on the BBC.

What a downer.