The Times : Clive Selwood reviews the two Bios

[Tom Roche]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2102-1392808,00.html

Biography: John Peel
REVIEWED BY CLIVE SELWOOD

JOHN PEEL
by Mick Wall
Orion £14.99 pp231

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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