Profiles of Popular and Extraordinary Radio Personalities
John Peel
Born: Heswall near Chester, England.
Died: October 26, 2004
Personal: Married to Sheila, who his pet name for is "Pig".
Radio: Peel began his career in Dallas, Texas at WRR in 1962. From there he worked gigs at KOMA, Oklahoma City and KMEN outside Los Angeles.
In 1967 he went back to England to join Radio London where he did a program called "The Perfumed Garden". Peel sequed over Radio 1 in 1967 where he became known for giving air-time to various musical styles including reggae, punk, and hip-hop - before they were recognized in the mainstream.
Peel had been with Radio 1 ever since. He has also done some work for Radio 4.
Claim to Fame: Peel was working in Dallas, Texas when American president John F. Kennedy was assasinated and attended the press conference just before Lee Harvey Oswald was shot and murdered by Jack Ruby.
Awards: In 1993 he received the "Sony Award for Broadcaster of the Year" and in 1994 NME named him "Godlike Genius". Peel has also had many honorary degrees bestowed upon him from various Universities.
