JOHN PEEL: A Life in Music
by Michael Heatley
Michael O’Mara £14.99 pp224

Since John Peel’s life was such an open book, the motivation behind rushing two unauthorised biographies into print so soon after his death is open to question. Perhaps hundreds of potential readers are eager for inside stories and scandalous revelations. In that respect, these books may disappoint.

Mick Wall’s book is an earnest, affectionate trawl through the archives with comments from some of the thousands whose lives Peel touched. Somewhat one-dimensional, it comes alive when quoting Peel’s writing. The description of a Pretenders audience “amusing themselves by punching balloons about in a thoughtful manner, while otherwise behaving as though attending a lecture on the inland waterways of Holland” is pure, unfiltered Peel. Errors abound, but the picture emerges of a decent family man in love with his music.

Michael Heatley’s book, on the other hand, is, quite simply, stunning. Often drawing on the same sources, he manages to convey some of the urgency and excitement of Peel’s radio programmes. Given the short time frame, it is a monumental achievement, and essential reading for all those whose tastes Peel influenced over so many years. For Peel anoraks, both volumes list his annual compilations of listeners’ polls, the Festive 50. From Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven in 1976 to Cinerama’s Don’t Touch That Dial in 2003, they chart his enduring influence.

Given that Peel’s death is so recent, the tone of both books is still perhaps a shade too reverential. Peel was neither a saint nor a sinner, but a gifted communicator with a penchant for the unexpected. Nevertheless, over our many years of friendship, he never displayed a darker side. Like all of us, he could be grumpy and cantankerous, but he was never mean-spirited in deed or thought.

Viewed from the sidelines (and both writers admit to barely meeting the man), Peel’s career looked like an effortless rise to the top. The reality was a constant struggle with the BBC hierarchy, who viewed him initially as a token concession to the emerging “underground movement”, and later as a trophy to be wheeled out when under critical review.

When Peel’s first Radio 1 producer and champion, Bernie Andrews, retired after being sidelined, he was replaced by the acerbic, larger than life John Walters. “Petals”, as he was affectionately known, brought a new sense of reality to the programmes, while guarding Peel against internal sniping. Their partnership lasted more than 20 years, until Petals, too, took early retirement.

Together they were the funniest double act I have known, and an hour in their company was something to be treasured.

Despite considerable internal opposition, Peel believed the BBC to be his natural home. He enjoyed a degree of freedom there and could continue with his beloved “sessions”, unique recordings made at the expense of Radio 1, featuring mainly unknown and unrecorded artists. In the 1980s, many of these were released commercially under the name The Peel Sessions.

Because both books seem to be aimed at music fans, Home Truths, Peel’s Radio 4 programme, gets less attention than it deserves. It took a full day and a half to prepare and present and, despite his concern that too often the content became “soft-centred”, it found him a new and larger audience as well as winning numerous awards.

Much has been made of Peel’s championing of new artists, but he always referred to his role as akin to that of the page numbers of a book: a guide and reference point. Yet bookings for the John Peel Road Show (Peel and a box of records) were accepted on the strict understanding that the chosen venue would feature the best of the local talent. All too often Peel would be so impressed that he would hand his fee to the support act, leaving insufficient funds to get home, and would end up spending the night on somebody’s floor.

For the real story and that extraordinarily intimate combination of wit and self-deprecating irony we shall have to await “Dancing Jack”Peel’s autobiography, of which he had completed 50-70,000 words. I do hope whoever finishes it is as honest and open as the man himself.

Back in 1976, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore presented Peel with the Melody Maker “disc jockey of the year” award. Now all four are gone, and we miss them all.

Clive Selwood introduced John Peel to Radio 1 in 1967. Together they set up Dandelion Records in 1969 and remained close friends and business partners for 37 years. Books available at the Books First price of £11.99 each plus £2.25 p&p on 0870 165 8585

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