DJ LEGEND JOHN PEEL DIES
Veteran disc jockey John Peel has died on a working holiday in Peru. He was 65.
He was in the ancient Inca city of Cuzco when he suffered a heart attack.
The veteran presenter, who discovered dozens of major bands during 40 years of broadcasting, was with his wife Sheila.
Peel presented the award-winning Radio 4 programme Home Truths and a late night weekday show on Radio 1.
Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt said: "John Peel was a broadcasting legend. I am deeply saddened by his death, as are all who work at Radio 1.
"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.
"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. He will be hugely missed."
Peel, born in 1939, was one of Britain's original pirate radio disc jockeys in the 1960s. Peel was his assumed "pirate" name.
In the late 1970s he championed punk rock to the consternation of many of his radio contemporaries.
They were still playing rock supergroups and were convinced the new music fad would never have any real impact.
Peel had been married to second wife Sheila for 30 years and had four grown-up children.
An authority on independent music, he was awarded an OBE in 1998.
Veteran disc jockey John Peel has died on a working holiday in Peru. He was 65.
He was in the ancient Inca city of Cuzco when he suffered a heart attack.
The veteran presenter, who discovered dozens of major bands during 40 years of broadcasting, was with his wife Sheila.
Peel presented the award-winning Radio 4 programme Home Truths and a late night weekday show on Radio 1.
Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt said: "John Peel was a broadcasting legend. I am deeply saddened by his death, as are all who work at Radio 1.
"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.
"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. He will be hugely missed."
Peel, born in 1939, was one of Britain's original pirate radio disc jockeys in the 1960s. Peel was his assumed "pirate" name.
In the late 1970s he championed punk rock to the consternation of many of his radio contemporaries.
They were still playing rock supergroups and were convinced the new music fad would never have any real impact.
Peel had been married to second wife Sheila for 30 years and had four grown-up children.
An authority on independent music, he was awarded an OBE in 1998.
