Everyone has that one person who makes them realise what they want to do with their life. Everyone has that one person that just instils something in them that no one or nothing else ever can. This doesn’t have to be someoneyou’ve met; it can be anyone. A musician, an author, a superhero(they exist, do not question it). It can be anyone.

Mine is John Peel.

Does anyone remember when Radio 1 used to be good? I do. I remember listening to Steve Lamacq in the evening and getting into Mogwai for the first time. He got me into a lot of bands. But then there was John Peel. The man responsible for my heavy eyes and educated ears. The man responsible for me struggling to get up for school the next day because I hid
under the duvet with my ears pressed against the radio listening to his show. This man got me into so many artists ranging from Captain Beefheart to The Fall to The Jesus And Mary Chain. John Peel made me realise that I had to be a Music Writer. I don’t have the voice or talent for radio, who knows if it lies within Music Journalism but he made me want to go for it.

Two years ago I was lucky enough to meet one of John Peel’s close friends, Andy Kershaw. I was working in HMV at the time and I held up the queue by talking to him for ages. We spoke about John Peel and The Clash. He was just a loving, genuine soul who I wish I could’ve met.

They say music died the day he died. I think I have to agree. Radio has gone downhill since he died. There is a lack of passion and knowledge amongst presenters. They play the same song every half hour and inform you about Lady
Gaga’s favourite biscuit. I don’t care about that. I want to hear music. I want to hear a DJ play it at the wrong speed just like JohnPeel used to do. I want to hear a DJ ramble on about the history of the band before he/she plays it. I don’t want the record to be cut off before the end. Or talked over. The qualities John Peel had were extremely rare-nobody else has possessed them since. I doubt they ever will.

His presence in the music industry was so vital. His charisma was just beautiful. He wasn’t pretentious oik who claimed to know everything about music. He was a just a person who was passionate about music.

He died in 2004, two years before I went to University but he died at the point where one has to decide what they want to do with their life. I was told by various teachers that I couldn’t be a Music Writer as it wasn’t a stable career. Since when has being stable been appealing? I don’t want a job where I am doing the same thing every single day. I don’t want 9-5. I don’t like the idea of that at all. I cannot settle in one place, because I know that there is something bigger and better
out there. Never limit yourself. I worked my arse off to get myself into University. It paid off, well- I don’t have a paid job now but I get to write about Music every day and find new bands to write about. My passion for music all came from John Peel. I will always be forever in debt to him. Of all the people in the world, him and Lester Bangs are the only two I have ever wanted to meet. Imagine sitting down with those two and just talking about music for hours and hours. It’d be inspiring.

I think my most treasured possession is my CD of John Peel’s Festive 50 from the year I was born, it has The Smiths on the cover. It is one of the most important things I own.

Every single time I hear Teenage Kicks I get a bit teary eyed, and I then smile. I cannot listen to it without thinking about John Peel. I hear bands that are around now and wonder if he would enjoy them. I reckon he would’ve loved Warpaint and Zola Jesus.

There is a quote by John Peel that is just so beautiful and so true :

“There’s always the possibility that you’re going to come across a record that transforms your life. And it happens weekly. It’s like a leaf on the stream. There are little currents and eddies and sticks lying in the water that nudge you in a slightly different direction. And then you break loose and carry on down the current. There’s nothing that actually stops you and lifts you out of the water and puts you on the bank but there are diversions and distractions and alarums and excursions which is what makes life interesting really. It’s fantastic.”

That quote just sums up exactly how I feel about music.

I could write thousands and thousands of words as to why I love him and always will- but his passion for music was the main reason. He knew so much, and because he knew so much- I wanted to know everything I possibly could about music. Personally, I can safely say that John Peel was the greatest teacher I ever had.

John was buried on my birthday, and every year since I shut off the world and play Teenage Kicks in honour of him. This year will be no different.

So thank you Mr. Peel. Thank you for giving me purpose, ambition and heart. John, this is for you:

“I just want to hear something I haven’t heard before.”