John Peel R.I.P.
I have been much saddened to hear of the demise of John Peel on Monday, 25th Oct’, 2004 at the age of 65. He was on vacation in Peru when he suffered a fatal heart attack. The man probably did more for music than anyone else in the World. His passing is a huge loss to the U.K and music lovers all over the Planet. He played new and obscure music that inspired generations of musicians and brought the listeners in to contact with stuff that could be heard nowhere else. From 1967 until a few days ago, he played the newest and most eclectic mix of music to ever hit the airwaves. He indroduced such unknowns as Black Sabbath, The Cure, Nirvana, David Bowie, The Smiths, Jimmi Hendrix, The Fall, Elton John, Led Zeppelin and Joy Division to name but a few, well before anyone had heard of them.
He was famous for his ability to play records at the wrong speed, some of which were so bizarre that it was hard to tell he had done it until he mumbled an apology and played it again at the right speed! He championed Glam. Punk, Hip-Hop, Techno and ethnic music from all over, without ever giving the music the labels I just used. He had an open minded attitude to differing styles that was contagious. For many of us that listened regularly, our tastes were forever changed and our musical outlook broadened, often to a degree that amazes those whose lives he never touched.
His rambling monologues and patches of silences between tracks endeared him to us. He could never help talking about his love of Liverpool F.C. He played tapes sent in by new and aspiring bands form all over the globe. Sometimes he even admitted that a track was awefull but I only ever heard him cut a track short once due to it’s poor quality. It was by ‘Mike Malignant and the Parasites’, a Portsmouth based band who were friends of mine. I will never forget listening to a strange record that he played a couple of times each show for at least a week. It was deisgned to be played at 4 different speeds and even had a choice of holes. He played every single variable and to me they were all at once fascinating and atrocious! From 10 until midnight most week nights his shows addicted millions.
He pioneered 4 track sessions by bands. New and upcoming acts were put in a studio to do 4 tracks that he would broadcast on his show. Many of these amazing recordings are becoming available on CD so if you are checking out the recordings of your favorite band and find an Album entitled ‘The Peel Sessions’, buy it even if you never heard his show. The versions are raw and real, often giving a better look at the talent of a band than their regular recordings.
Mr Peel, you’ll be sadly missed by this expat. Thank you for opening my mind and ears and thank you for some of the most unusual and memorable radio in the history of the medium. The angels now have an alternative to harps! The afterlife has been enhanced but it might be raucous in places!
Cheers Peelie!
(Read his obituary in the Independent)
Update: I have been listening to some of the tribute radio shows on the BBC. They were taking messages from well wishers/mourners from every corner of the globe and playing his favorite tracks. There is also a message board with postings from listeners and musicians that is growing at an enormous rate. My words here do not do him justice. A quick search on Google News brought up articles from just about everywhere you could imagine. His influence spread further than I ever thought.
Alternative thoughts?Beauty
As I awoke this morning, I was greeted by quite a sight. The sun was up and its light, diffused and reflected off of the trees outside, was filtering in through the slats in the blinds to illuminate my wifes face. Her face was a picture of serenity. The delicate texture of her skin almost glowed, helping to make the whole scene give me a warm, fuzzy feeling all over. Well, not quite all over in fact! I had to tear myself away from this lovely scene. I had a python to syphon and the only thing of beauty that I wanted to see at that time was elsewhere.
As I came downstairs this morning, I was greeted by quite a sight. The sun was up and its light, diffused and reflected off of the trees outside, was filtering in through the shower curtain to illuminate a large piece of porcelain. Its seat a place of serenity. The delicate texture of its surface glowed pristine and white, giving me an immense feeling of forthcoming relief. As I sat there, on this monument to man’s creativity, I thought about the scenes that had greeted my eyes already this day.
It seems strange to me that the face of a special woman can bannish most thoughts from ones mind whereas a large piece of porcelain has the power to inspire and arrange many great ideas in a mans head. How many great inventions have been dreamed up while on the throne? I’d wager that far fewer come from looking at a beatiful woman. The womans face may make a man want to do special things but it is the toilet that inspires him most!
Beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes it depends on what the beholder happens to be holding at the time. The choice of eye can also make quite a difference.
Robin, I love you.
Thomas Crapper, I salute you!
Thomas Crapper, I have just found after some research, did not invent what he is famous for inventing. However, his work brought the toilet into the modern era and he should still be applauded for his services to mankind. If I ever win the lottery, I’ll be visiting Thomas Crapper and Company to purchase one of their works of art. Take a browse through their catalogue. I especially like the low-level cistern with its beer handle!
You think?