John Peel - Room 101 (Part 1 of 3)

John Peel talked to Paul Merton about his pet hates in 2002. John selected men with beards, men with colds, shopping for clothes, driving through Essex and death.

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[Andrewjk73]

I was an avid listener to Radio 1 throughout the 1980's but never listened to Peel. I had nothing against him personally, but I couldn't stand his accent and he played depressing music. He was never as good as DJs like Simon Bates, Adrian Juste and Dave Lee Travis.

[citizen2]

Thanks for sharing that. Perhaps you should go elsewhere in that case.

[tone2thebone]

I can't believe you've used John Peel and simon fucking cowell in the same sentence.

[Chameleonardodavinci]

class has fuck all to do with it you obviously don't know what you're talking about

[MrLuxint]

a good man. sorely missed

[Alex Larsen]

Geezer.........he was just a DJ, but a DJ who opened the door to commercial success and therefore access to a wealth of great tunes to the 'masses' (me included)....I agree, nice white middle class boys loved him with his festive 50 and all that old bollocks, but bottom line la, he introduced me and others to tunes I would never have listened to...

[GrunGrauWeiss]

It's cool to be cruel, basically. Fuck em.

[Will Neill]

What's with all the hate for John Peel? He helped dozens of well-loved artists rise to popularity, had an excellently diverse music taste, introduced people to genres of music which would never otherwise get played on the radio, the guy was amazing

[Will Neill]

The White Stripes are forgotten today? Are you serious?

[loytoyzzz]

Not a 'legend' but a very upper middle class boy who pretended to be working class. He was just a DJ for gods sake, nothing special and some of the dross he promoted such as the fall or white stripes are forgotten today. Pretentious would be know it all who sounds rather ridiculous today.

[Ollie Duracell]

the geezer is a legend. how can that knob slate him just because of his accent. at least he played a variety, and some proper techno sometimes, give the old boy his due god rest his soul lol

[Shack Lfc]

I met him once at Glastonbury!

[CreditMunch]

That's sad - you've missed out. John played such a variety of good music and was always a champion of that, not the fame that society embraces much of the time. His shows would include a mixture of all sorts - rock, experimental, acoustic / folk, reggae, hi-hop, techno and more. I haven't heard another presenter / DJ play such variety with the genuine enthusiasm he did.

As for his voice and accent - I thought it was unpretentious and soothing.

I for one miss him very much.