Radio Kurtodrome 70: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN PEEL
Shortly after our 69th edition was online, I heard about the death of John Peel. Even though I wasn't the most avid listener, I did listen from time to time and yes, it's fair to say that to some extent Peel influenced Radio Kurtodrome too. Just look at Peel's lists and the artists featured at the Kurtodrome. Thrice we had to go to the VPRO site to find some audio proof, which proves the enormous link between Peel and the VPRO (in the 80s Peel even made some radio shows for the VPRO).
John Peel is dead. This edition is dedicated to him.
JOHN PEEL (1939-2004)
BEARSUIT - Hey Charlie, Hey Chuck (D)
Bearsuit was one of Peel's latest favourites and that's why they deserved to be in here. This song made it to number 4 in Peel's annual chart, the Festive Fifty, in 2001. "Itsuko Got Married" was featured in an earlier edition. Bearsuit on Peel: "thanks for all your help. we'll really miss you."
YEAH YEAH YEAHS - Bang (D)
Shortest obituary ever: "10/26/04: R.I.P. John Peel". "Bang" was n�12 in Peel's Festive Fifty of 2002.
CINERAMA - 146 Degrees (VPRO stream)
John Peel: "The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the Rock 'n' Roll era. You may dispute this, but I'm right and you're wrong!" After The Wedding Present David Gedge started a solo project, which eventually got the name Cinerama: "We are shocked and distraught to hear the news. Aside from the fact that he presented the most challenging and entertaining program on the radio, [...] he was a huge influence on my life and musical tastes. Both Sally and I have gotten to know John and his wife, Sheila, well over the last twenty years and can honestly say that we'd be hard pressed to name warmer, nicer people. Our thoughts are with her and the family. [John] will be remembered for the huge number of great artists that he brought to the attention of the listening public. He was not a careerist and he was not affected by marketing campaigns. If he liked records, he played them on the radio. As a result, you heard music on his show that you would not hear anywhere else. His passing has a created a void in British culture. [...] This is an unbelievably sad day."
THE DELGADOS - Strathcona Slung (D)
The Delgados have a new album out, but this is taken off Domestique. The Delgados: "The news of John�s sudden death has shocked us all terribly. We�ve all tried to write something to try and articulate our feelings for John and the influence he had on our careers. It�s impossible. All we can say is that our thoughts are with Sheila and the family at a time that must be truly heartbreaking for them. We will be posting our own thoughts and memories of John over the coming days and weeks as we all come to terms with such a staggering loss to the world of music: we loved John very much and to no longer have him around is something we may never quite get over. His legacy is simply too profound to fathom - rest in peace, John."
SALOON - Bicycle Thieves (D)
The MP3 is from Track and Field, Saloon's label. Saloon topped the Festive Fifty in 2002 with another song from the album, (This is) What We Call Progress, we pulled this off. After a few members left, Saloon decided to stop existing in September 2003, but it didn't stop them from remembering John Peel: "The band would like to express their deepest sadness at hearing of the death of John Peel. Our sincerest condolences go out to John's family and friends. John championed Saloon from the release of their first seven inch, and without his support everything would have been very different for the band. His influence across popular music was immeasurable and his death has left a terrible void. Open a bottle of red wine and play a minute of noise in his honour; we're sure that's how he'd like to be remembered."
CAMERA OBSCURA - San Francisco Song (Label Stream)
This is a track off Camera Obscura's EP "Keep it clean" (out on Elefant Records, who provided the stream). Camera Obscura: "We are deeply saddened by the death of John Peel. John was a real inspiration to us, an outstanding broadcaster and a lovely person. He was always enthusiastic about music new and old and it was always a pleasure and a privilege to play for him. Our sympathy goes to Sheila and his family."
MELYS - Chinese Whispers (VPRO stream)
Here's a shared Peel and Kurtodrome favourite: "Chinese Whispers" was Peel's favourite track in 2001. Melys: "All of us here at melys are devastated by today's news. John Peel was simply a legend. It is a great shame and a sad day for the music industry. Our thoughts are with Sheila, his wife and his lovely family. John Peel consistently championed Melys and after 10 live and recorded sessions for his show and spending time with him in Holland, here in Betws-y-Coed and at his lovely Suffolk house, we are cherishing special memories. A passionate family man and great DJ who was passionate about music. He will never be bettered. It was always a dream, since listening to his show when younger, to record a session for his show. To meet him and consider him a friend was an honour. We'll miss him."
And finally there could only be one band to finish this tribute...
THE UNDERTONES - Live in Club 3VOOR12 18-2-2004 (VPRO stream)
The makers of Peel's favourite song "Teenage Kicks" performed a mini concert at the VPRO studios. They played seven songs: Get over you / Oh please / You've got my number / Thrill me / Jimmy Jimmy / Everything but you / Teenage kicks. Mickey Bradley (The Undertones): "There's been an awful lot said about John and about his connection with The Undertones. As well as the obvious help he gave the band, there was also the fact that his show was where we heard many of the records and bands that inspired us. He was also as nice and as decent in real life as you would imagine from listening to him on the radio. He'll be very sadly missed and our thoughts are with Sheila and his children."
Radio Kurtodrome will be back in 10 days. John Peel, sadly, won't.
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