The phrase 'end of an era' is used far too often, as is describing someone as a 'legend' after they're gone.
Today, with the death of John Peel, it's really true. John was a true individual, a man with a great love of music - he knew what he liked and wanted other people to hear it, regardless of whether it was popular or in vogue. As a result, despite him turning 65 this year, he wasn't just one of those middle-aged men trying desperately to be trendy...
He's just one of those people who you can't imagine not being around any more. The idea that he's not going to be playing 'Teenage Kicks' on his show this Christmas is really hard to comprehend. For those of us growing up in small towns, his show opened up worlds of music we might otherwise never have discovered.
In his time on Radio 1, which spans the entirety of that radio station's existence (let alone his time on pirate radio before Radio 1 began in 1967) he must have helped more bands break into the mainstream over here than pretty much any other DJ ever has or will. It's hard to believe any one man could have had so much impact, but that one man was irreplaceable and will be sorely missed by anyone who loves music in the UK.
Today, with the death of John Peel, it's really true. John was a true individual, a man with a great love of music - he knew what he liked and wanted other people to hear it, regardless of whether it was popular or in vogue. As a result, despite him turning 65 this year, he wasn't just one of those middle-aged men trying desperately to be trendy...
He's just one of those people who you can't imagine not being around any more. The idea that he's not going to be playing 'Teenage Kicks' on his show this Christmas is really hard to comprehend. For those of us growing up in small towns, his show opened up worlds of music we might otherwise never have discovered.
In his time on Radio 1, which spans the entirety of that radio station's existence (let alone his time on pirate radio before Radio 1 began in 1967) he must have helped more bands break into the mainstream over here than pretty much any other DJ ever has or will. It's hard to believe any one man could have had so much impact, but that one man was irreplaceable and will be sorely missed by anyone who loves music in the UK.
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