Good old John Peel

[Perfect Virgo]

When he hosted Radio 4's Home Truths in the late 90s he brought his dry but gentle wit to a whole new audience. A charming and self-efacing man whose death left a hole in the lives of many who didn't even know him personally.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Indeed. And his music show was increasingly an island of arsey-I-play-what-I-like interest in a sea of bland and boring mainstream play-list dominated shows. And Mark E. Smith is a god. The Fall are probably one of the only British rock bands that anyone will care about in 500 years time...

 

[Perfect Virgo]

Yeah I all but abandoned mainsteam music radio a long time ago. It's hard to imagine someone else these days developing sufficient recognition to choose such maverick play lists. For some while I have watched KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic show online. The producers there pay no attention to fabricated nonsense.

 

[Mr Pig]

Yeah I all but abandoned mainsteam music radio a long time ago.

Peel wasn't mainstream back then.

 

[PaulB]

The Fall are probably one of the only British rock bands that anyone will care about in 500 years time...

And Half Man Half Biscuit, obviously.

 

[Perfect Virgo]

Peel wasn't mainstream back then.

You're missing the point.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

When he hosted Radio 4's Home Truths in the late 90s he brought his dry but gentle wit to a whole new audience. A charming and self-efacing man whose death left a hole in the lives of many who didn't even know him personally.

That was such a good show wasn't it, themes could run for weeks.
It did occasionally get hijacked by a few 'worthy' sorts but it could be such fun.
I felt a genuine sadness when I heard that he'd died, he was an introduction to a lot of music for me and then with Home Truths a radio programme I'd look forward to and there aren't many of those....

 

[Perfect Virgo]

That was such a good show wasn't it, themes could run for weeks.
It did occasionally get hijacked by a few 'worthy' sorts but it could be such fun.
I felt a genuine sadness when I heard that he'd died, he was an introduction to a lot of music for me and then with Home Truths a radio programme I'd look forward to and there aren't many of those....

Oh yes, the content was great fun, and you could always rely on a nice mix of human interest, acerbic humour and the plain odd! I loved the way he listened to all the contributors and showed real interest in their anecdotes. Home Truths was broadcast just at my regular bedtime in those days. A good end to an otherwise uninspiring Monday night.

He mentioned his family a lot too didn't he. It made you feel like he was sharing confidences. Yes, a dignified man. Peel was a revelation musically and put most of the rest to shame. He introduced me to the path less travelled.

 

[Sysagent]

I wonder if there is anywhere you can "aquire" the Home Truths broadcasts I never got the opportunity to listen to them.