From:  "Phil" Davies
Date:  Tue Oct 26, 2004  10:53 am 
Subject:  John Peel RIP

Of interest to some Shakers the following sad news, he released the
Vincent album I'm Back and I`m Proud on his Dandelion label. For
years the only good dj on radio one

Phil

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Legendary DJ John Peel dies
2004-10-26 14:53:56

Legendary music disc jockey John Peel has died suddenly in Peru aged
65.

He was on holiday with his wife Sheila in the ancient Inca city of
Cuzco.

Peel was one of the greatest influences of British pop music,
starting in the Sixties and still playing new and experimental music
in recent weeks on his weekday Radio 1 show.

He went on to become a broadcasting legend, famous for championing
new bands and music genres long before they crossed over into the
mainstream.

In 1998, Peel starting presenting the award-winning Radio 4 programme
Home Truths about the ups and downs of family life.

He was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting in the same year.

Born in 1939 in the Wirral, John Robert Parker Ravenscroft adopted
the surname Peel during his pirate radio days.

On finishing his military service in 1962, he went to Texas and began
working for WRR radio in Dallas.

For the next three years he moved around America working for various
radio stations.

He started his Radio 1 career in 1967 when he returned to London,
establishing himself with the show Top Gear.

Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt said: "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 and his contribution to modern music and
music culture is immeasurable.

"His commitment and passion for new music only grew stronger over the
years."

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sheila, and four grown-up
children.