JontyMaster

DISCLAIMER: Some of the memes included are intended for mature audiences.

Here's one of the things I've been excited for! Writing about this!

Today, John Peel would have turned 86. A BBC Radio One DJ who broadcast regularly from 1967 until his death whilst on holiday in 2004, Peel was among the first to play psychedelic rock and progressive rock on British radio. He promoted artists across several genres, including pop, dub reggae, punk rock, and post-punk, electronic music, dance music, drum n bass, indie rock, grindcore, and rap. His reach was also global, featuring music from Jamaica, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Nigeria, Australia, the United States, Germany, New Zealand, and far beyond.

His favorite single is widely known to have been The Undertones' "Teenage Kicks", released in 1978, a record which actually made him burst into tears due to its awesomeness. In fact, on certain occasions, he played it twice, giving the explanation, "It doesn't get much better than this." The opening lyric "Teenage dreams so hard to beat" is on his tombstone. Some of his favorite albums are also my own favorites and ones I'm considering listening to in the future, such as Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica (1969), The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967), and the Ramones' self-titled debut (1976) - records he helped bring to the attention of music listeners for many years to come.

Famous aspects of his show included the "Peel Sessions", typically four pre-recorded tracks performed live at the BBC's studios. During his 37 years on Radio 1, over 4,000 sessions were recorded by more than 2,000 artists - among them Half Man Half Biscuit and The Fall, two of the countless groups he championed from the start. Another hallmark was the "Festive Fifty", an annual countdown of the year's best tracks as voted by listeners. After Peel's death, the feature continued under Rob Da Bank (who presented the remaining time slots Peel had compiled before his passing in Peru), Huw Stephens, and Ras Kwame for two years, before finding a permanent home at Dandelion Radio, an internet station inspired by Peel's legacy - and one I highly recommend. The 2025 Festive Fifty is due soon.

Peel's show was instrumental in launching careers, from Pink Floyd to The White Stripes. He kick-started Billy Bragg's career after mentioning on air that he was hungry; Bragg decided to drop in a mushroom biryani along with his first record, which Peel immediately loved. He wasn't afraid to go against popular opinion either. For instance, he wasn't the biggest fan of Dire Straits, Suede, Kate Bush, or R.E.M. (though he did invite them over for a 1998 session). That didn't always mean he hated them - in fact, he admitted later on that while he rarely played R.E.M's records, whenever they were on the radio he quite liked them, and saw them on TV and thought they were "really good". The same generosity, however, didn't extend to bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes, and U2, even if he owned some of their records.

I never grew up with him personally, but from what I've learned, John Peel was a down-to-earth man who shaped generations of music lovers and will be remembered for his wit, individuality, and enduring contribution to music.

What are your favorite memories of John?

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1 day ago | [YT] | 28

JontyMaster

Listened to Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited (1965). Highly recommend. One of the best albums from the '60s I've heard. "Like A Rolling Stone", "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry", and "Desolation Row" are some of the highlights, but every single track is absolutely worth listening to. Not a single bad thing about them. 10/10

Next album to listen to: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland (1968)

2 days ago | [YT] | 34

JontyMaster

Thank you for 114,000 subscribers!

2 days ago | [YT] | 58

JontyMaster

New Noggin logo who dis

4 days ago | [YT] | 76

JontyMaster

UPDATE on Paramount Television Logo History

5 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 93

JontyMaster

One of the greatest ambient albums ever, ever, EVER has just arrived!

5 days ago | [YT] | 49

JontyMaster

Here's an updated list of albums I'm considering:
The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986)
The Beatles - Revolver (1966), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), and the White Album (1968)
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959)
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (1979)
David Bowie - Station to Station (1976) and Heroes (1977)
The Clash - London Calling (1979)
Pink Floyd - Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967), Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), and Animals (1977)
Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced (1967), and Electric Ladyland (1968)
Radiohead - The Bends (1995), and OK Computer (1997)
Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980)
Pulp - Different Class (1995)
Depeche Mode - Violator (1990)
Massive Attack - Mezzanine (1998)
The Who - Who's Next (1971)
The Doors - Self-titled (1967)
Godspeed You Black Emperor! - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven (2000)
Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells (1973)
Public Image Ltd. - Metal Box (1979)
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy (1985)
Ramones - Self-titled (1976)
Aphex Twin - ...I Care Because You Do (1995), Richard D. James Album (1996), Drukqs (2001), and Syro (2014)
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band - Safe as Milk (1967)
Pixies - Doolittle (1989)
The Fall - Live at the Witch Trials (1979), This Nation's Saving Grace (1985), and HECK JUST ABOUT ANYTHING
Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children (1998)
New York Dolls - Self-titled (1973)
Various Artists - Bllleeeeaaauuurrrrgghhh! - The Record! (1990)
Slint - Spiderland (1991)
Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill (1986)
Sh*tmat - Full English Breakfest (2004)
The Zombies - Odessey and Oracle (1968)
The Strokes - Is This It? (2001)

1 week ago | [YT] | 46

JontyMaster

This logo history on Paramount TV gon' be a big one by the time it's finished.

1 week ago | [YT] | 64