John Peel

1. John Peel Disk-jockey and radio presenter.

John Peel was one of the founder DJs of BBC Radio 1 in 1967 and he is still working for the BBC today. Known for his extraordinary range of taste in music and the occasional blunders which mark his shows (see John Peel Sweet Eating Game) John Peel is one of the most popular and respected DJs in England.

Born John Robert Parker Ravenscroft in 1939 in Heswell near Liverpool he is a "Wirral lad". After finishing his National Service in 1962 he went to America and initially worked for WRR Radio in Dallas, Texas. He returned to England in 1967 to work for Radio London before joining the BBC.

Right from the start at the BBC with his show 'Top Gear', produced by John Walters, John Peel displayed his eclectic and cutting-edge taste in music. He was largely responsible for introducing BBC listeners to punk rock, reggae and hip-hop. He was the first English DJ to play a record twice in a row - Teenage Kicks by The Undertones. Naturally his style bought him into conflict with other DJs at the BBC such as Tony Blackburn and Simon Bates (it is unfortunate that his plot to beat Bates up came to naught).

Eleven times Melody Maker's DJ of the year, Sony Broadcaster of the Year 1993, Godlike Genius award from the NME in 1994, OBE, fan of Liverpool F.C..

2. John Peel Huntsman. (1776?-1854)

John Peel is the subject of the 18th century song 'D'ye ken John Peel?' He was a Cumberland farmer, who kept a pack of fox hounds.