John Peel's Record Box
140 Special records as an Inspiration.
“There’s always the possibility that your going to come across a record that transforms your life “ - John Peel
I woke up yesterday (30 August 2022) and wanted to start this week’s musical adventure with a quote.
For an unknown reason I wanted a John Peel quote, I liked the one about “life has surface noise” but on searching found the above one instead, it explained my ongoing obsession with music nicely. I also found out later in the day that August 30th was his birthday, I love weird coincidences - there is probably no connection apart from sheer luck but it can make you think that there is something else out there connecting us all.
Most music fans know the name John Peel.
John Peel was a DJ synonymous with the idea of playing what he liked, he didn't worry about the "genre" - Blues, Reggae, Punk, Dance, Pop, Metal, Hip Hop. If he liked the song he played it. He also said what he wanted, this made him an unpopular outsider at the BBC.
I can't imagine how someone like this would exist on mainstream radio in 2022 - they would have been given the advice to stick to their niche or play what the audience wants.
I watched this week a documentary about his “record box” a small box containing a collection of 140 odd records discovered after his death that he had placed separately from his thousands of other records. Records that meant something special to him.
The box contained unsurprisingly his famous favorite song “Teenage Kicks” by The Undertones and also several records by The White Stripes - a real favorite towards the end of Peel's life.
Here is a link the majority of the songs if you fancy digging in.
This Got me thinking:
How would a modern John Peel work? Just a show on Radio 1? or would his independent nature lead to a podcast, internet radio show or a Substack newsletter of weekly discoveries?
What would I put in my box?, what 1% of my albums or singles would I place in a special box for my family/children to learn & discover more about me? and what an adventure to build this over the next 40 years....
There is a lesson for all of us here - make what you want, love what you love - be an outsider and have a small box of amazing, personalised trophies at the end.
No one can do you - like you.
So in the style of John Peel here are a few interesting, amazing and possibly unconnected tracks that I have found and listened to this week….some chilled dance music, insane metal/screamo and a future indie classic.