I felt genuinely upset when I heard this, like he was a family friend or something. I guess that's similar to how menopausal middle englanders felt about Diana, so I won't labour the point. (Although - a memorial service in westminster abbey, with Teenage Kicks instead of Elton John, anyone?) John Peel introduced me to all the weird music I liked as a teenager, which kind of shaped my interests and identity in those (slightly sad) days. Still remember being blown away when I heard the Pixies for the first time, while doing my homework in my bedroom.
Once saw a TV programme he did where he travelled the country visiting towns with an unexpected musical heritage. In East Kilbride (jesus and mary chain, bobby gillespie, alan mcgee) a crowd of kids outside a community centre all started cheerfully chanting 'John Peel, he's my dad, John Peel, he's my dad'.
Am gutted. Some of my most evocative teenage memories are listening to the Peel show on week nights, while doing my A level homework.
ReplyDeleteI felt genuinely upset when I heard this, like he was a family friend or something. I guess that's similar to how menopausal middle englanders felt about Diana, so I won't labour the point. (Although - a memorial service in westminster abbey, with Teenage Kicks instead of Elton John, anyone?) John Peel introduced me to all the weird music I liked as a teenager, which kind of shaped my interests and identity in those (slightly sad) days. Still remember being blown away when I heard the Pixies for the first time, while doing my homework in my bedroom.
ReplyDeleteOnce saw a TV programme he did where he travelled the country visiting towns with an unexpected musical heritage. In East Kilbride (jesus and mary chain, bobby gillespie, alan mcgee) a crowd of kids outside a community centre all started cheerfully chanting 'John Peel, he's my dad, John Peel, he's my dad'.
yeah - the favourite uncle of our generation :-/
ReplyDelete