Last Night a DJ Saved My Life

[GoogaMooga]

***Last Night a DJ Saved My Life***

Although I have been a music fan for fifty years, I have listened to very little radio in my life. I always preferred to choose my own playlist. So, as my collection grew exponentially, so my interest in radio dropped. However, there were three deejays who had a big influence on me, at least for brief periods in my life:

Jørgen Mylius (Danmarks Radio)
Casey Kasem (Far East Network)
Wolfman Jack (syndicated, Far East Network)

[robertff]

Some obvious ones perhaps but they played music I liked:

John Peel
Alan Freeman
Kenny Everett
Nicky Horne
Roger Scott


and any others I can’t momentarily think of who have played music that I have learned to like and love.


Also the writers of popular music books like Paul Gambaccini and Colin Larkin have also made a big impression as to where and what to look for.


.

[GoogaMooga]

Oh yes, liner notes, mags, books - all have been helpful in making new discoveries. Even browsing and making blind purchases. Reviews in a way too.

John Peel - I don't recall ever hearing a full show, but I've read about him and even own a few Peel Session CDs, I think. He was obsessed with "Teenage Kicks" by The Undertones. Didn't he use the title on his grave marker?

[ChrisB]

My biggest gripe with Peel was once one of the artists he'd pioneered eg Tyranasaurus Rex, Rod Stewart, made the big time, he dropped them like a hot coal. He was too cool to be associated with a successful artist

[GoogaMooga]

My biggest gripe with Peel was once one of the artists he'd pioneered eg Tyranasaurus Rex, Rod Stewart, made the big time, he dropped them like a hot coal. He was too cool to be associated with a successful artist

Yes, he'd even boast about it in interviews.

[John aka Spock aka Josh]

My biggest gripe with Peel was once one of the artists he'd pioneered eg Tyranasaurus Rex, Rod Stewart, made the big time, he dropped them like a hot coal. He was too cool to be associated with a successful artist

Yes, he'd even boast about it in interviews.

Sure I've read it was the other way around, especially with Marc Bolan. He and Peel became (apparently) very close friends, than after T Rex's success Bolan dropped Peel, who was very hurt by this action.

[Deebank]

My biggest gripe with Peel was once one of the artists he'd pioneered eg Tyranasaurus Rex, Rod Stewart, made the big time, he dropped them like a hot coal. He was too cool to be associated with a successful artist

Yes, he'd even boast about it in interviews.

Sure I've read it was the other way around, especially with Marc Bolan. He and Peel became (apparently) very close friends, than after T Rex's success Bolan dropped Peel, who was very hurt by this action.

Yes, that’s how I’ve read it.
he thought they didn’t need his patronage anymore and it was his job to champion new music, hence his rules regarding the Festive 50.

I remember him saying that Super Furry Animals no longer needed his help but he liked playing their Welsh tunes.

To answer the question though, Peel obviously and Andy Kershaw was also very important. To a lesser (and earlier) extent, Tommy Vance and local - in Wales - DJ and continuity announcer Richard Rhys.