I used to always change my mind about what I wanted to do with my life when I was younger. I’m 25 now, and I sometimes have this internal battle with what I should be doing with my life. All I know is that it MUST involve music. That’s all I have ever known. My love for music hit me at an early age. I was always being sung to or music was played around the house. It became my life from very early on. From Muddy Waters to The Jesus And Mary Chain; it was constantly being played to me. From my mum, my uncle and from one person who really made me aware of what I wanted to do with my life, John Peel.
If it wasn’t for John Peel, I really wouldn’t have such a huge obsession for music. It’d just be another thing I acknowledge I suppose. My memory isn’t exactly my best quality. But I do remember listening to him for the first time. I was very young. I must have been in my first few years of Secondary School. I couldn’t sleep one night, so I hid under the covers and put the radio on. A man was talking, and the way he was talking about the records he was playing really hit me. He was so enthusiastic about it all, in his own way. He didn’t have to yell or use daft words to describe it all. The fact that he was talking to you as if you were sat next to him made you connect with not just the music he was playing, but you also connected with him on a personal level. When you hit your teenage years, you search for something. You’re lost, utterly lost and you need something or someone to show you. I do believe that night I first listened to John Peel made me realise what I wanted to do with my life. I had to be a Music Writer..somehow.
I could honestly talk about how much he meant, and still means to me to anyone who is willing to listen. As most shut me up when an outburst is about to occur, I unleash it all here. So, a rant of sorts may or may not happen. And for that, I do not offer you an apology.
The arts are fundamental to society. We live in a world where being negative and cruel to others is seen as a way to get places in life. I guess that’s why I may not amount to much. I cannot be cruel in order to get what I want. If I want something bad enough, I’ll do the right thing in order to get it. The arts provides a way of helping people- especially the young, find a home. Find something they are good at. A film could inspire someone to be a director. A song could make someone want to be a record producer. Everything has the potential to be an influence. So why oh why would we want to stop this? Why? Maybe it is because within the arts, you may never make a lot of money. Maybe I’m too laid back for my own good- but I’d much rather do something I love than be filthy rich. That’s just me. I’d change my outlook, but I don’t want to. If the passion isn’t there, if you don’t do something with all your heart-do NOT do it. That’s just how I go about my life really.
This is where I need your help. I need YOUR help to make a difference because it is the RIGHT thing to do. As music lover, this is vital.
Bradford is a place that many are willing to launch so many negative slurs and whatnot. The thing is, it has more to offer than you could possibly know. I’m not saying this because half of my family are from Yorkshire..or maybe I am. Biased few aside, this is truly a vital cause and one that has my unconditional support, and attention.
The above link will tell you all about how important it is that we SAVE the Bradford Odeon. The cinema is a historical landmark to the city, and what makes it so special is that it was bought with public money. Labelled as the City of Film- how on earth can we let such a building with so many memories be listed as a building to knock down. Knocked down and turned into a glass office and apartment block. Because you know, we need more of them. NO. Just NO. Enough is enough. On the link above, there is a page with information on how to save this landmark.
I’m not writing this because I want to seem like a decent person. Far from it. I’m writing this from the heart because like all involved with saving this building, I see why it MUST be saved. And if by a stroke of luck it does get saved from being demolished, the idea has been brought up to turn it into the John Peel Creative Arts Centre.
This link gives you EVERYTHING you need to know about the Centre. You can also sign the petition right here : http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/john-peel-north/
The Centre would provide so much. Not just for Bradford, but all of the UK. It’d be a hub of experimental sounds, the chance to listen to Peel’s archive. The potential of the John Peel Creative Arts Centre is insane. John Peel was well-known as being the guy who would bring you the best in new music, and also give you the best hidden gems from the past. This Centre, if it happens, would carry on his legacy in a way that will continue to influence generations to come to be found- and to find their talent and what they are passionate about.
To turn your back on something like this and to favour a pointless building being built in the place of history, and something that could change so many lives is just wrong, and disgusting.
I seriously cannot express how important this is. Please get involved in any way you can. Do it for John Peel, do it for future generations to come, so they have some hope and the chance to be part of something that can enrich their lives and the community.
Thank you.
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Beat In My Bones. 