Margrave of the Marshes

Posted by: nicnaim on 05 January 2006

Just finished reading John Peel's autobiography/biography, the second half being finished by his wife after his death.

I found it an interesting read, with the first half (written by him) being just like listening Peel on the radio. It was interesting because it filled in a lot of detail about his childhood, schooling, career and family, that I was unaware of.

Like, I suspect, many people, Peel shaped a lot of my musical tastes and record buying during a particular period of my life.

For me it was mainly between 1978-84, when I was in the country, or listening to him on the World Service when I was not. During 1980-82 I used to listen to him nightly, jotting down records that took my ear, and travelling to London at the weekend to purchase them from Rough Trade and other record shops.

Being near to London during that period also meant seeing bands on Friday, Saturday and sometimes Sunday night as well, with two to four bands on each night at places like the Lyceum, the Rainbow, the Marquee, the 100 Club, and various college locations like the Polytechnic of Central London/LSE etc where mates were studying.

What are your favorite Peel anecdotes (or records that you bought as a result of hearing his show)?

Mine from around 1979/80, was of him responding to someone gobbing on him at one of his roadshow gigs at Leeds University, where he said something along the lines of "That was really original! This is Fiery Jack by the Fall". Top put down.

Regards

Nic

Posted on: 07 January 2006 by glenda

Hi Nic, rather like you listening to John was a life changing experience and after listening to John Cooper Clarke and Patrick Fitzgerald in 1977 , things were never quite the same again.
My fave slight anecdote was listening to John Peel respond to someone who complained about the scratches on vinyl by saying that life itself had surface noise - rather profound I thought at the time .
As for Margarve of the Marshes - had some big laughs especially the Bay City Rollers , wombles anecdote. A great read.
Cheers
Glenda

Posted on: 08 January 2006 by nicnaim

Glenda,

I'm glad somebody else enjoyed it. It seems to be selling lots of copies, mind you I got three for Christmas. Also got a copy of the Peel tribute album which has some good stuff on it.

I have a copy of Patrick Fitzgerald's Backstreet Boys EP from '78, and greatly enjoyed seeing John Cooper Clarke supporting UB40 at the Polytechnic of Central London circa 1980.

Regards

Nic

Posted on: 08 January 2006 by Sloop John B

Yes John Peel was such a great loss. Strangely I feel it as a personal loss. When the children would ask "what is that" I'd answer Uncle John, it somehow seemed appropriate.

A Festive 50 comes to mind (2002 I think) that he was doing from Peel acres (on New years eve?)and everyone had deserted the house and as he's introuducing a track the phone rings and if memory serves me correctly John says "oh how embarrassing" and answers the phone.

I got 2 copies of Margrave and not being the quickest reader in the pack it's next on my list after I finish my Bill Bryson one (bought stranegely enough in the science museum the day John died)

Posted on: 09 January 2006 by Jono 13

I almost had to stop reading several times as it was just so funny and touching towards the end.John's remarks about John Walters just hours before he died are the saddest, and almost unbearable, part of the book.

I thought the Bay City Rollers/Womble/Tony Blackburn tale sums up that time just perfectly. Especially as my friend's father managed the Wombles and I have a great memory of seeing them in his lounge drinking beer one hot summer afternoon.

Shelia's obvious love and devotion of John just shines through, although reading the two letters at the end makes me wonder just how much of the story will be lost unless a part two with contributions from friends is put together.

Jono

Posted on: 09 January 2006 by Rasher

I do wonder sometimes how John would feel about this public adoration since his death. He would obviously be touched, but very embarassed too I think. I cringe when any mention of his name on TV is accompanied by Teenage Kicks, and it now makes me angry.
With all the major figureheads that have died over the years, they are eventually dealt with and catalogued for history once the loss is accepted. With John Peel though, I just don't think we'll ever really get over it. He was more like a parent.