John Peel - a snob from the Wirral?

Question

I know lots of people think of John Peel as some sort of 'musical guru', but really I found him to be a bit of a middle class twerp type snob. Sorry, but that's what I think!! He was never a Scouser. If he came round our way during the seventies speaking the way he did, we would of thought he was a social worker, a teacher or someone coming to collect the rent! If he was in Liverpool today, he'd probably be sipping 'real ale' in the Dispensary and looking down upon Scousers who were off to the 'Liffey'!! lol

Answer 1

naah he was good man, Okay he was an upper class twit but look at all the bands who were on his show first.

I will not bore you with a big long list but who else would have played Captain Beefheart, the Grateful Dead, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Santana etc on the radio in those days?



His "autobiography" would have been brilliant, pity he only wrote the first part. That was the only part that was any good.

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Answer 2

You may have a point about the Liverpool thing, although he was a lifelong LFC supporter, and maybe the middle class thing (but that may just be radio speak too)

BUT

You can't possibly call John Peel a snob. To him there was no GOOD or BAD music, just music he liked or disliked. He didn't look down on anyone, just look at the old TOTP he presented. He clearly didn't like the tunes and with a cheeky grin let you know it, but he never made fun or patronised the "artists".

I think if you call him a musical guru you miss the point, he was THE musical guru for an entire generation (think 30 years). Part of his charm was he could play complete rubbish and then from nowhere play a bleeding edge demo of the next big thing. He was as cool as the bands he played... and the only original Radio 1 DJ not to be sacked/leave/resign. That's got to say something.

Radio is crying out for someone with his talent, regardless of where they come from or what they sound like.

Answer 3

The simple answer is that without John Peel many of the greatest artists Britain has ever seen would have lain unnoticed and unheard. He was one of the few DJs of the time who actually bothered to look for the real alternative stuff and not just the commercial drivel. He had a strange gift of being able to pick the artists who are now seen as some of the best- Joy Division, the Smiths and Kraftwerk were played on his show when they were relatively unknown and now they are considered the best groups in musical history. He was the first DJ to play the Krautrock bands such as Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk in the UK.
On this note it is John Peel's Peel Sessions which got me into nearly every band I like, especially Kraftwerk who aren't massively well known.
as for the whole class thing, you are creating something out of nothing. It doesn't matter where he was from, only that he was a brilliant DJ. Your problem is your own view of your social group and the prejudice you now show because of that. You are only limited in your view by your stereotypical views created by this social grouping. The concept of class is outdated. Can you call yourself a 'true' Liverpudlian?
Radio now is begging for a DJ like John Peel. He let the music do the talking and actually listened to the listener. He was also knowledgable about what he played and aware of different music scenes. Today's radio is, with the exception of Radio 2, mostly idle chat, commercial 'chart' music and general rubbish and bad language.
So don't be quick to judge a unique and amazing person.

Answer 4

I don't care what his background was. He was an all-round good bloke who loved music and was very knowledgeable about it. And he was fortunate enough to have as his job the ability to share that with people who would not otherwise heard of some truly great bands/artistes.
He never claimed to be a Scouser, he was from somewhere in north Cheshire but happened to be passionate about Liverpool FC.
I loved the voiceovers he did too for programmes like "A Life of Grime" - laid back, just a hint of sarcasm where appropriate.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

I guess you are entitled to you opinion. It's a shame you seem to hate everyone who is not from the exact same part of Liverpool as you or is from a different social class. You must have a very narrow social life if you dislike anyone who is slightly different to you.
I thought he was a really decent DJ, well actually to be honest a poor DJ (lots of pressing the wrong buttons) but he did play great songs of all kinds and he did come across as a really nice person. I am damn sick of 24 hours a day of constantly playing the top 10 hits in the current chart that we get on most radio shows.

Answer 7

He never did anyone any harm. The guy had a genuine enthusiasm for music of all types. Hes genuinely held in high regard by many people not just music lovers. A more down to earth person would be harder to find. Where he came from and your personal opinion of him dont really matter much in the great scheme of things.

Answer 8

Bahh!! critics like you need to learn some manners for the dead!

(Sir) Jhon peel was a great man, british music owes him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid!!

I have a london accent even though Im from the north, so chew on it muggins!!

Z's back!

Answer 9

would reckon he was a generally great guy who brought independent music to people that would not have previously heard it unless he had the airplay... .

does it matter where he came from?

Answer 10

He had a great gift of communication.