John Peel

English Disc Jockey   -   [1939-2004]

Baby-Biography

John Peel is born on 30th August 1939. On leaving school in 1956 he enters two years of National Service with the army [23558538 GUNNER RAVENSCROFT J.] - Trials Establishment (Guided Weapons) Royal Artillery (Anglesey). On release from the army, he spends 6 months working at Townhead Mill in Rochdale before casting his eye further afield

In 1960, Peel seeks a new future in America. He starts work in the Dallas Cotton Exchange and progresses to selling crop insurance in West Texas. His breakthrough into American radio co-incides with the The Beatles' breakthrough in British pop. As a Liverpudlian, Peel becomes resident Beatle expert with Radio Station KLIF Dallas.

Peel lands his first full-time Disc Jockey job KOMA in Oklahoma City. After eighteen months he moves on to work for KMEN in San Bernadino, California. Returning to Britain in 1967, he continues as a DJ with pirate station, Radio London. When the station is taken off the air on the 1st September he enters mainstream radio with B.B.C. Radio One, where he becomes established as a legendary figure in broadcasting history.

He dies of a heart attack at the age of 65 while on a working holiday in the city of Cuzco, Peru, with his wife Sheila, his beloved 'Pig'.

Phespirit's Hero

There's not many people ready to dispute the importance of John Peel in the development of British 'rock and pop'. Having brought The Beatles to the attention of America, he returns home bringing American wig-out psychodelia to the Britain. A fair trade, but if that were not enough he remains at the very forefront in championing new and alternative for over three decades with only personal taste and instinct to guide him. He alone played punk in the mainstream when it mattered.

John Peel is Phespirit's hero for transcending and all fads and trends. Anticipating the weight of traffic in any new movement, Peel beat the crowds by being first to the road or finding himself a new alternative route. He looked to no-one for guidance - a rare and respected individual in a industry dominated by clones and bandwagoners. Utterly irreplaceable.