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Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
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Peel, born John Robert Parker Ravenscoft, was on a working holiday in the resort of Cuzco with his wife Sheila when he suffered a heart attack.
Peel was born in Heswall near Chester in 1939 and after completing his military service in Britain in 1962, went to Texas and began working for WRR radio in Dallas. For the next three years he moved to various radio stations in America, among them KOMA in Oklahoma City and KMEN outside Los Angeles. He returned to Britain in 1967 and joined Radio London with the celebrated show The Perfumed Garden.
He joined Radio 1 from the beginning in 1967, establishing himself with the late night programme Top Gear. John was the first DJ to give exposure to punk, reggae, hip-hop, long before they crossed over into the mainstream. Almost anyone who is anyone in the world of music has recorded a session for Peel.
Apart from regularly topping music paper Best DJ polls, John won the 1993 Sony
Award for Broadcaster of the Year and in 1994 was named God like Genius by the
NME. John was awarded a host of Honorary Degrees MA (University of East Anglia)
Doctorates (Polytechnic University of East Anglia and Sheffield Hallam University),
Hon. Degrees (Liverpool University, Open University, Portsmouth University,
Bradford University) and a Fellowship (John Moores University Liverpool).
He will be sadly missed, and never replaced.
Our thoughts go out to all his friends, family and colleagues
(much of this detail was taken from the BBC Radio 1 homepage - more to come soon).
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Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
This deserves two postings...
R.I.P. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I am in shock.
Truly, RIP. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Kinda numb myself.
Weird really, since I never knew the guy.
But, sad isn't it. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
R.I.P.
I'm quite upset by this. He was an inspiration to so many, me especially. His love of music was just infectious and without him, the music scene wouldn't have been the same. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Couldn't agree more. Legend in his own life time. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Agreed, he was truly special. RIP. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
What a total hero, this is terrible. We all owe him so much, without him where would we be... -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I feel numb like my grandad just died or something.
But imagine the party he'll be having with old friends? -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I actually do feel like crying! in the middle of the office! -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Really sad news. Irreplaceable, from his music programming to his under-rated speech based output such as Home Truths.
The Dude. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
The Festive 50 was the always the highlight of any end of year programming for me... it will be sadly missed -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I don't know what to say. 'Irreplaceable' doesn't get close. I'm going to write more when I get my head together. This is weird... the death of 'celebrities' just doesn't do this to me normally. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
A dreadful loss. I'm shocked by how much it's affecting me, can't imagine how his family and those at R1 must be today.
The front line of our music world - the stuff we believe in and love music for - is drastically lessened by his death. r.i.p.
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Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I don't think I'll be alone in raising a glass to the man this evening.
I'm not usually that moved to state RIP, but sir, rest in peace.
And if that Colin Murray takes your slot he's a dead man. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
yeah its totally if someone you know has died. He was an absolutly awesome DJ in my eyes and gave so many bands/artists their first important radion plays and recognition. A legend that will be sorely missed. :o( -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
John Peel wasn't a celebrity. He was someone like you who sensed what music could do and set about showing everyone else the same. That's what makes this different. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
me too - such a weird feeling. I guess hearing his voice pretty much every day has affected me more than i realised. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Very sad day, got to feel bad for his family/friends, totally out of the blue.
One has to think this will have enormous repercussions for non-IPC/major-friendly-unit-shifting 'alternative' music, just hope Radio 1 sort it out and get someone in who can carry the torch, although I sincerely doubt they could or would want to. Good excuse for them to get another Zane Lowe type farce in. Interesting/forward-thinking not-to-mention GREAT music may have died a death also today, or at least the transmission of it to the masses anyroads.
A minute of noise in commemoration of a great man I think would be fitting. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I have been crying but luckily I only share an office with one other girl and I'm just hoping my boss doesn't come by...
Surprised and devastated like everyone, I think the nature of radio is so personal that it's not surprising so many people are affected despite having met him.
I can't quite believe we'll never hear him again.
I can only hope his ghost will come back and break Zane Lowe's microphone. Every night. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
really fucking sad, sad news. gutted. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
But he's not a celebrity though. He was very little different to any of us people who genuinely love music and are more than a little fanatical about it. The difference was he got to play his aural pleasures to a large audience around the world. One can't help but wonder how this will affect the 'non-mainstream' musical output on Radio One. One part of me feels that they shouldn't try to replace him as you can't find anyone to fill in for him. The other part wants a replacement though so I can carry on hearing truly alternative music and so that truly alternative music does get played on our hideous Radio 1.
I remember when I found out that Cobain was dead and it was a shock but this makes me genuinely sad. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
jaw hits desk.
shit.
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Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
"I remember when I found out that Cobain was dead and it was a shock but this makes me genuinely sad."
I was just thinking the same thing. That was a shock, but somehow it seemed, well, the natural outcome.
This is just plain sad. It's not shock, so much as an overwhelming numbness. I really don't want to be at work right now. It's put me off whatever it is I'm doing. There's just a hole, you know? -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
WoW, just Wow.
Stick him in the UK Music Hall of Fame now. NOW I tells ya.
The voice of modern music is no more.
:(
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Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I hear that, I really can't be bothered with this afternoon, it seems a bit trivial for some reason. I may have to go straight to the hope and anchor after work, and put on 'teenage kicks' -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Heartbreaking, there should be some benefit shows in his honour with the best bands in the fucking world on. All these reply's just show how great an influence he had on real music. R.I.P -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
i cant believe he has died- he was such a legend and so deserved a knighthood....
he WAS the daddy and he will be sorely missed -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
The man was an absolute star, down to earth and above all passionate.
I'm fucking off work and raising a few beers for him.
There will never be another one like John Peel. R.I.P. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
man. that is such a shame. he really will be missed. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I feel the same. no one here at work understands and thinks I'm being silly but I cant help it. I feel literally devastated. I just want to go home or be with others who understand and not with these prats.
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Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Truly depressing news. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
It really is like the queen had died or something. Someone who has always been there, whether yoo want them or not.
fuck -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Sticking him on a list with the fucking spice and oasis doesn't do the man justice... i'm so gutted. i can't believe his last show was presented by Robert Smith. Looking forward to shitloads of repeats of his old shows though... New Order 1982 is gonna be a good'un. i'm gonna miss his show so much, and Home Truths too. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
this is genuinaly heartbreaking, he did so much for so many and his influence was felt throughout every corner of the musical world.
john, you are a true legend and i hope you are at peace. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
that's meant to be spice GIRLS -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
shocking news
R.I.P
a true legend -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Can't believe we're not going to see those nobbly knees on BBc's Glastonbury coverage, and he's the only celebrity I can do a passable impression of...
did anyone see him on room 101? what a brilliant human being. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Strange isn't it, almost like some sort of parent, you get so used to them being around, when they're not it just doesn't seem right. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
It really is hard to know what to say. Like many other musicians, writers and those whose life revolves around music I used to tape his show most nights whilst at school and listen back on the weekend, writing down the band, release and label before heading to Virgin and ordering a copy.
His openness to music shaped my own taste as I moved from my Indie and punk phase to embrace everything obscure litergical world music and decimating Swedish grind.
My mind is numb. I feel like I've lost an old friend, someone who was always there for me, always there to inspire me and open my mind to music that I would never hear otherwise.
Such a sad day. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
fucking offices.
the funny thing is, I can't seem to listen to any music, nothing can really do the situation justice.
maybe we should descend upon somewhere in mass, come 6 o'clock.. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
i'll join you on that one.
It is just plain sad that he's not going to be around anymore, even if he was someone most of us only really knew from the radio.. he's given a lot of people a lot of inspiration to keep on doing something that bit different, to be daring especially where writing and playing music is concerned.
What are we going to do without him? Not to mention his family and the people who did actually know him.. from here he seemed to be a truly genuine guy and a fab family man to boot. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I've just spent the past two hours making and receiving many phone calls/texts with my friends & family. My folks have been hit just as hard as me by this. He's been here for so long...
I'm so upset.
Also, I am getting increasingly sad/angry as my head slowly gets itself round what this will likely mean for new independent music... -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Just the sheer number of people coming to this site to post so soon after his death tells you everything. There are few (if any) people in music whose death would affect so many people so deeply.
That's because music is so much more than just noise in the background. It matters. John Peel knew this and he mattered as well. God bless, Mr Peel. Sleep well. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
am just shocked. really saddened. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Nothing that I can say could come even half way to expressing the shock and sadness that this gives me.
Its been my routine of the last few years to make time to sit up and listen to his shows, every show. There is nobody like him left in radio - his enthusiasm was overwhelming and genuine. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Real sad news.
All the lights went off at my work for about 2mins.
Just after someone told me.
RIP to the Irreplaceable John Peel
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Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
You're absolutely right - thank you for correcting me. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
tell me about it, I've had people laughing about how upset I am in here....idiots. As someone on The Fall message board said:
Somebody elsewhere has just suggested that rather than have a minutes silence for him, there should be a minutes noise instead. They suggested Napalm Death, I'd suggest And This Day. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Am gonna be in the pub from 6 feeding the juke box pound coins in his honour. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Shit, that sucks.
It is really wierd how u get that totally numb feeling even though it wasn't someone you knew personally.
R.I.P sir. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
What are we going to do without him? There is nobody who comes close to him in terms of his open mindedness, his humour, his wit but also his kindness and dedication to both music and the people that make and love it. I can't imagine anybody else who could cover music like he did and still make a brilliant job fronting things like Home Truths (the only thing that would ever get me out of bed at 9 am on a Saturday). Not a single other radio DJ is capable or deserves to fill his space.
I'm shaking and the cat on my knee is really annoyed as he is a bit damp and doesn't understand why.
There's a new person in my "one person I wish I could bring back from the dead" spot (replacing John Smith). I wish i believed in life after death.
Shit. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
this isn't a blatant plug, far from it, but i thought you guys might appreciate it
i spent 7 hours and interviewed him for my fanzine merely 3 weeks ago about all things from music, to his wife and his fear of flying and going to peru generally
seems rather apt now and somewhat poignant - check out the FEATURES page for an insight into the man himself and his typical day, and the INTERVIEWS page for our one-on-one chat
hope it makes you that never met him feel a little bit more like you did
www.tohellwith.co.uk -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
i think it was such a shock because he's one of those people who has to live forever. the torch giving hope in the darkness. or, the small dark room amidst the feverish lights of modern pop music.
there should release a peel cd, with loads of the sessions on.
damn. numb.
he was so universal - he seemed to bring everyone together, no matter if you liked certain bands or not, peel was always the thing you could agree on, the constant.
where now? -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I met him once. We were in Cardiff watching PJ Harvey. Welsh rap group Tystion were the support and had been personally chosen by Peely who confessed to not having as clue what they were singing about, although he championed them on his show. I'd already been sent a full translation of the album by their label boss so offered to, and did, send them to him. A couple of weeks later, a sweet hand written postcard arrived from him which i still have.
Some people's passing is a wide ranging and terrible loss. This is one such.
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Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
i think it was such a shock because he's one of those people who has to live forever. the torch giving hope in the darkness. or, the small dark room amidst the feverish lights of modern pop music.
there should release a peel cd, with loads of the sessions on.
damn. numb.
he was so universal - he seemed to bring everyone together, no matter if you liked certain bands or not, peel was always the thing you could agree on, the constant.
where now? -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
This is so sad. I can't really put into words how I felt when I got the text through from a friend. It was further compounded by the 'who is John Peel?' questions ringing around the office in which i am temping when it was announced on XFM.
Independent music has suffered a big loss today, but not as big a loss as the Pig and the kids.
Mope. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
oh man.
RIP John.
x -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
He was a great many things. He was the bumbling teacher who'd be much loved by the pupils, teach them many things yet still be relied upon to set fire to the chemistry experiment. He was the hip Dad you always wanted but never had. He was the friend you could argue and enthuse in equal quantities about obscure music in the pub over a few pints. Perhaps most importantly, in this age where cheapshot celebrities meet cheapshot tabloid headlines over inconsequential things that don't matter, he seemed like a man of total integrity, a guy who adored his family as much as the music, and someone who represented 'Us' in the great big mainstream world. I find it disgusting to hear that some people in offices are having the piss taken out of them by fellow workers because they're sad over Mr Peel, as I'm sure many of those pisstaking bastards bawled their eyes out during the national mawkfest that was Diana's death.
Bless you John for everything. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad.
: (
RIP -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I'm glad that I'm not alone in how I feel. I feel truly bereaved and I didnt even know him so heaven knows how his family are feeling.
I just have no joy in my day at all. I feel numb and so upset and no one gets me or why I feel this way. I just cant stop crying -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
After hearing it I went to my room and put on the Fall really loud for some reason.
Anyway, I read an interview with him in April time and he said that he didn't like people refering to him as a 'legend' because legends are usually dead. The thing was, he was even in life. He was just typically humble about what he has done for music. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Its one of those situations where i found myself incredibly sad, and empty. He was truely exceptional and is completely irreplacable. He has brought so much sheer happiness and satisfaction to so many through simply sharing our passion for music, combined with the ability to actually do something about it, where it mattered, on national Radio 1. It must have taken so much determination.
When I looked so shocked in my office after reading it and telling everyone there was not one person who didn't know who he was. He spand generations of music lovers. Its amazing to think how many people, once the initial shock is over, will look back and smile at what he has given to them.
An inspiration to all of us.
Thank you just doesn't seem enough. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
... and I just wonder : we would we be, all of us, if it wasn't for him. There are so many bands that we love, defined our lives, had us connect to other people, that wouldn't have released a single record. We owe him so much more than the music...
"our teenage dreams so hard to beat..."
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Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I can't believe it. I thought he'd live forever. Am just shocked, it's the end of something special. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Damn.
I can't believe he's dead. Hardly anyone at this fucking University seems to be bothered by it; only a few people.
The man was a legend. I'm going to see Oceansize tonight, and I shall raise my glass to Mr Peel. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
It feels like my hole world has just changed, a little piece of it that I thought would always be there has been ripped away. I hope Radio 1 doesn't even try and replace him as they can never suceed.
I never met him yet he had this way of making you feel included in his life when you listned to him.
Utmost sympathy to his family and friends -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Cannot beleive it, thought it was a bad joke when I heard.
R.I.P. John Peel
You will be sorely missed. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Oh my god im so shocked by this. RIP john -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
unbelievable. if anyone ever has as much an influence on music as john peel did/does i will be amazed. i never met him, although i saw him at one of his shows for radio 1 live in brighton about a year ago, but he always seemed like a really reliable friend who was always there.
absolutely stunned.
rip john -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Hugely sad about this.
RIP. -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Yeah, theres hardly anyone here who seems to care, i just feel like shouting at everone! Its absolutly awful news, im truely gutted. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Fuck.
I am honestly gutted I feel like my fucking Grandad has died or something. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Bless John Peel... he has been very instrumental to all of us.. no one is in the league same as he was. he was just brilliant..thank you john peel.. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Tragic. He was a champion for the underground. Irreplacable. Bless him. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
R.I.P Mr Peel
You will be sorely missed. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
He was the best dj I ever heard, and my hero.
I'm going to miss him very much. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
An extremely sad day :-( -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
RIP John Peel. People talk about musical legends, but he was certainly one. He was a figure who seemed to transcend musical trends and fashions, he is as relevant today as he was many years ago. He helped so many great artists get recognition, from Joy Division to the White Stripes. He was knowledgable, humane, and informed. A part of British popular music has died today, and another link to the past has been extinguished too. Even for people like me who only heard his Liverpudlian tones over the radio at night, a genuine sadness and grief has been felt. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
He's a legend, who championed great creative music!
I'm gutted. I dont think i know anyone ever who doesnt like him. That's the sort of person he was.
Rip -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
can't say much that hasn't been said already above, just echo all your sentiments. i feel hollow today, you don't realise how much you love someone til they're gone.
RIP John, you won't be forgotten. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Today a small part of all of us died - mind you, now think at least there's a decent compere for all those stunning gigs up there
seriously though, absolute Legend - the music industry will never be the same again -
Re: Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I listened and recorded from almost every show over the last 13 years. I got an autographed pic from him along with a Low boxset I won only a couple of months ago.
I've had my name mentioned on the show 3 times in the last 3 months. I was joking to friends that it must mean something.
I met my ex in the citycentre today and told her and she was on the verge of tears as soon as she heard it.
He will leave you a huge gap in peoples lives, especially his family, and also his friends, which we all feel as though we were.
I did speak to him once, but, I was very drunk at the time, and was thrown out and arrested shortly afterwards.
Thanks for the memories mate, and all the bands I'd never have known existed without you. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Theres nothing i can say which hasnt already, RIP John.
:( -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
For all the people who don't know who it is (albeit no-one on here): Teenage Kicks.
RIP John, you've made music that much better and more hopeful a place. Thanks :) -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
Cant believe it, had to leave the office to hide my wet eyes.
His radio show was a beacon to me in my bedroom in the late 70's/early 80's, he brought in exoticism and excitement, pushed my musical and subsequently cultural envelope, and so made me spread my wings and fly away from my prison of drudge.
The bands/music he introduced me to changed my way of life totally, my friends, activities and lifestyle all came to be influenced by music, this may have happened without him but I don't know that. He and my uncle were the two older men who have brought most joy to my life, possibly the only ones I looked up too when I was a young man.
I guess that there may be many many others like me who are eternally grateful for the bands that he introduced to us, many bands who are grateful for this too, there will be many who admire his steadfastness in championing what he truely liked and believed in, his ordinary decent blokeness and his innocent awe at new bands, that he never seemed to tire of new bands cos he ignored 'scenes'. He never seemed a snob cos he always seemed to like somethings that most of us could never fathom (greek bazouki music or something).
I recorded so much of his show, loved 'his' bands so much, my mates band were chuffed to bits to get a peel session, the ultimate acolade. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
What a guy.
We owe him. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
im not that good at writing emotional pieces of writing or anything, and i have never met him, but i am gutted at his passing. Started listening when i was 13 when i heard Biffy Clyro and listened at every oppurtunity. he is one of two people i admire i the music business (along with Kevin Shields) and he is the main reason i am into the music i am into now.
They'll never be another John Peel.
p.s, and on the subject of the John Peel CD, i think the only way to do that properly would to have every Festive Fifty Number One on a boxset. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
For whatever it's worth I'd like to add my condolences to the list. He was just a good guy, and that's such a rare thing to find in public life today. I always felt he was 'one of us', whatever that means. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
have been lost for words since i heard the news this afternoon. to say he will be missed would be a huge understatement.
John Peel, RIP. no other words needed. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
wow horendous news, he really was the cornerstone of groundbreaking music and an hilarious, brilliant human being to boot...
RIP John Peel -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
In this day and age it's difficult to find agreement on the color of the sky. But on the subject of John Peel I've never heard a bad word. The man, Peel Sessions, and his radio show were beyond stellar. That by all indications he was a stand-up guy as well makes his passing that much more difficult. As an American he wasn't a part of my daily agenda, but everything from which I have heard, including the sentiments above, speak of a singular theme -- namely Mr. Peel was a musical hero. Some of my most valuable stuff includes (bootleg and legit) Peel Sessions. Clearly this man will be sorely missed. My sympathies and best wishes go to his friends and family. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
thanks, John. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
A genuine hero and true gentleman of the old school, with the death of John will probably come to death of the vast majority of great music on radio 1. Forever will I treasure the signed picture above my bed.
I would always look forward to seeing John on television, most recently on Grumpy Old Men, and I'll always remember his advice: -
"If your going to have sex it should be with someone you at least like because than you might as well have a wank"
An amazing man in every respect, fight back the tears and raise a glass. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
You know that this has touched many people just by looking down at the amount of people who have made a post here.
John Peel has a place in my heart for exposing punk to the world. Its not just me either. My dad told me earlier he still has memorys of listening to john peel under the duvet covers at night so his parents couldnt here it. I had headphones! I cant claim that I was ever an avid listener but he is someone who A) if i did listen too it was always a great show and i discovered alot of really cool bands from him B) Did it his way in sence by being the first person to play punk reggae ect...
he has changed the uk music scene forever. this is bad news.
May he rest in peace -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
i'm still shocked.
music really has lost someone incredibly unique. a sad day.
cheers John. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I can't really add anything to all these sentiments. The sheer volume of comments says it all. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
So, so sad. I really am going to miss him. His legend will live on. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I couldn't beleive it when I heard the news, I turned on the Radio this evening to hear Spooney (of all people) playing the sex pistols. That just added to the surrealism of it all. It's just not right that he's dead.
R.I.P John Peel, and I'm sure all our thoughts are with his family and friends right now.
I feel numb. -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
The Fall put it best
"When I am Dead And Gone My Vibrations Will Live On" -
Musical hero John Peel dies age 65
I'm in shock, completely. John had such a huge impact on the music scene as it stands now and without him many of my favourite bands would not be where they are now. Not only that, but he was easily the best DJ I've ever heard on any radio.
RIP John, you will be missed.
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