Veteran British broadcaster John Peel, who championed pretty much every new cutting edge pop and rock act over the past 35 years on his radio shows, has died after a heart attack, the British Broadcasting Corporation announced on Tuesday.
Peel (65) who worked for the BBC’s popular music station Radio One ever since it started in 1967, suffered a heart attack on Tuesday night while on holiday with his wife in Peru, the corporation said in a statement.
Radio One controller Andy Parfitt called Peel ”a broadcasting legend”.
”John’s influence has towered over the development of popular music for nearly four decades and his contribution to modern music and music culture is immeasurable,” he said in a statement.
”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.”
With his bald head and greying beard, Peel long resembled a favourite uncle rather than a cutting edge arbiter of musical taste, but was an icon for generations of British acts and their fans.
Even in advancing years, Peel — who built an extension onto his house to contain an ever-expanding record collection — remained passionately knowledgeable about the sort of avant garde rock which would frighten off those half his age. – Sapa-AFP