The best DJ Radio 1 ever had, and a fantastic human being, John Peel, died of a heart attack while on vacation in Peru. [link]
Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg said Peel had "defined independent music". He said: "Although he became an institution at the BBC, he was, in effect, running his own pirate radio station from within the corporation."
Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt said yesterday: "Hopeful bands all over the world sent their demo tapes to John knowing that he really cared. His commitment and passion for new music only grew stronger over the years."
I sent music in a couple times and listened to the show often. John Peel got me to enjoy rock music again. When you listened to his show it sounded like a friend you invited over to your house, who happened to bring his bag of records. He then played each one, remembering your favorites, and explaining what they were about and where in the world each one came from. He sounded like he loved the music even more than the listener, which came through on every show.
He will be very deeply missed.
UPDATE:
The Washington Post has an article by Andrew Beaujon that almost brought me to tears.
