“I need excitement, oh, I need it bad
And it’s the best I’ve ever had”
From “Teenage Kicks” by The Undertones.
Today is the fourth anniversary of John Peel’s death. I didn’t have a blog back then, but the photo is taken from a scrap book we were keeping at the time.
I still miss “The Peel Session” on Radio 1 and “Home Truths” on Radio 4. I feel nostalgic and happy and sad all at the same time if I ever hear his voice broadcast.
Many of us will have our favourite Peel moments. For me they include:
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His broadcast of the Chemikal Underground Records 10th anniversary party where my mate’s band were introduced as “Cumbernauld’s number one death metal band” (no surprises to learn that they were neither from Cumbernauld nor death metal);
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Dave Gedge of The Wedding Present’s brief chat with Michael Aspel on “This Is Your Life” which appears half way through this short you tube link after Mark E Smith of The Fall;
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My friend, Andrew, getting his first 7″ single played by John Peel;
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Aereogramme’s live set at the Gronegan festival in Holland which had a particularly amusing bit when Peely was interviewing the band wherein some punters in the background started shouting, “John Peel – we’re not worthy!”, to which he dryly chuckled, “No, you’re not”.
The lyrics at the top are from what is famously known as John Peel’s favourite record. Exact Science mentioned it in passing on a recent comment on my blog by noting, “Just to touch on John Peel, cause you mention him. In referring to Teenage Kicks he said that he didn’t think there was anything you could add or take away to make it better. I think that is the crux of all great art.”
John Peel carried a copy of “Teenage Kicks” with him everytime he was DJing at some event.
What record would always make your playlist and why?
