> Just a reminder that today is the celebration of a man who
> changed modern music forever. BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, who
> passed on a year ago at age 65, and brought innovative live
> sessions and cutting-edge new music from punk to hiphop to
> electronica to country to millions worldwide via Radio 1 and
> the World Service. If you're playing alternative rock on the
> air today, Peel is to thank for many of the bands you know
> getting their start. I highly encourage anyone who has the
> song to play "Teenage Kicks" by the Undertones in tribute to
> John's life in music. Surely you can skip one Korn or
> Seether record and play it. Happy Peel Day everyone, and
> long may John's spirit live on in the hearts of those who
> truly believe in the power of rock and roll to change the
> world.
>
Sentiment unequivocably echoed. I only had a chance to listen to him on a daily basis (most days, anyway) from 2002-2004, but it was only then I realized what a profound effect he'd had on my taste in music over the course of pretty much my entire teenaged-through-adult life.
So I spent some time that day on my stream simply pointing out which songs were from bands whose early career got a boost from a Peel Session. (Probably about a third - if I were to count the bands he played first, the number's probably around 80-90%.) I put Teenage Kicks into my power rotation, too.
The BBC, by the way, clearly hope to make Peel Day an annual event - take a look at the fantastic pile of info they've put up at their newly-unveiled Peel site:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel
Good info, well presented. (And until Thursday, you can hear the playback of most of the concert sets, and of the radio coverage on the day.)
-Sean
Altrok Radio at
http://www.altrokradio.com
Playing When Posted: Depeche Mode, "Precious"
