English Radio 1 disc jockey and radio presenter, John Peel (1939 – 2004), 8th February 1972. (Photo by Len Trievnor/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
For over 40 years, the Peel Sessions on BBC Radio 1 set the standard for what a live radio session should sound like. Now, we have easy access to a whole bunch of them.
First--on the personal tip--BBC Radio 1 host John Peel was proof that a DJ could be a compelling radio personality without having some sort of schtick or contrived persona. Listening to him inspired me and gave me the permission to by myself on the radio: to let my passion for the music become the foundation for the connection I make with my listeners. He's an all-time broadcasting great and continues to inspire me almost 15 years after his passing.
And he had an ear. And the knack to get acts in session as they were on the rise. Scroll through the list and you'll find sessions from David Bowie in 1972, Dinosaur Jr in 1988, Fleetwood Mac in 1969, Motörhead in 1978, Queen in 1973, Thin Lizzy in 1973, and scores and scores more. Click here for the full list, complied by Dave Strickson. And jump into Nirvana's sessions from 1990 and 1991 below.
