We Love John Peel
On the 7th anniversary of his death, the blogosphere is celebrating the life of a DJ who dedicated his life to playing the records nobody else would. Occasionally, even at the right speed. Find out more here.
Over at Sunset Over Slawit, I’m counting down my Top Ten Songs About John Peel. And here… one of my favourite Peel sessions. Billy Bragg covering The Smiths, retelling Morrissey’s kitchen sink drama with even more ice where we bathe.
Magic Mushroom
Billy Bragg famously blagged his way onto John Peel’s playlist by delivering the legendary DJ a mushroom biryani when he overheard Peel saying he’d kill for one. When Peel played a song from Life’s A Riot With Spy Vs. Spy later that night, he ended the track by saying: “thanks, Billy – I’d have played it anyway”.
Alas, we will not see his like again.