October 13 is being declared Peel Day to celebrate the life and legacy of trail-blazing BBC disc jockey John Peel, who died suddenly last year at the age of 65, the public broadcaster announced.
Gigs will take place across Britain in as many venues as possible, and organisers hope Peel Day will become an annual event.
”Peel Day is about celebrating John’s legacy and his unrivalled passion for music,” said Andy Parfitt, head of pop-oriented BBC Radio One, where Peel was the longest-serving presenter.
”It’ll be a day of gigs taking place up and down the country — something we feel will be a fitting tribute to John,” he said on Tuesday.
Peel, who died on October 25 last year while on holiday in Peru, discovered dozens of major and influentual rock, punk and new wave bands, and also championed world music.
”He would appreciate that in years to come Peel Day will give new bands across the country the chance to be heard,” his widow Sheila Ravenscroft said. – Sapa-AFP