The Passing of John Peel

Michael Hedges October 27, 2004

Legendary broadcaster John Peel died of a heart attack this week. His 40 years of radio leaves a legacy of story, wit and music

John Peel was on a working vacation in Cuzco, Peru when he died October 25.  He was 65.

John Peel
1939-2004

Peel was best known as a champion of new and cutting edge music, personally selecting tracks for his BBC Radio 1 program, aired three times a week and heard around the world on BBC World Service. Since 1998 he hosted the weekly program “Home Truths” on Radio 4.

Born John Ravenscroft in 1939, his broadcasting career started in 1960 at Dallas, Texas radio station WRR. He returned to the UK, joining the pirate Radio London staff in 1967 and changing his name to John Peel. Later that year he hired on to the newly formed BBC Radio 1. The day Peel’s death was announced, Radio 1 played “Teenage Kicks” by The Undertones, his favorite tune.

He is survived by wife, Shelia, and four adult children.

On John Peel:

“He unearthed different sounds and people and made them accessible and popular... he was a genuine one off - and a warm and decent human being too.”
Tony Blair - UK Prime Minister

“John Peel was a broadcasting legend. I am deeply saddened by his death as are all who work at Radio 1. John's influence has towered over the development of popular music for nearly four decades.”
Andy Parfitt - BBC Radio 1 controller