Margrave of the Marshes (2005)

I enjoyed it
to a point, he's a witty writer, but its really about the man and not
the legend. We hear about his
friendship/breakup with Marc Bolan and photos/rub-ins with practically every big
musician.. ever. ( )

This guy defined my formative years - late nights by the radio with school the next morning...happy days. This bio more than does those years justice - a fitting tribute to a man who shaped a generation. ( )

Cant say im surprised by the varied and interesting life Peel lead. The publics reaction to his death said much about the affection this man enjoyed in his career and rightly so, in such a negative world his positivity in his field was clear, even if you werent really into music. Definately prefered Peels half of this book to the latter half mind. Ive always enjoyed the exsistence of people who put your own ability into perspective. Ive always fancied myself as a music trivia buff but in comparison to this man you realise how blinkered you are. How a man can keep his passion up for the business and move with the times like he did amazes me. I gave up on new music when I was about 30, and I cant see myself returning. Hats off to John and his book. ( )

I started seeing "John Peel Sessions" recordings on vinyl about the time I stopped doing college radio, and discovered his World Service show shortly thereafter. For 20 years, I made an effort to tune in to the show to find out what was worth listening to. (The first recording I ever made off the internet was The Peel Show on my system 9 iMac, about ~2000)

I wrote him a cranky note when he started including American "alternative" music on his WS show; not only did he read my complaint on the air, but he was gracious enough to send me a quirky and charming reply, which I still have somewhere. His sudden death left me bereft: I miss him still.

Napalm Death played here last week, so I got to reminiscing about the impact of Peelie, and discovered this book. Certainly an interesting life, and both fascinating and essential for his fans. ( )

Both parts of the book are well written, funny and genuinely moving. The lists at the back of the things John Peel intended to write about was very poignant. Really glad I read this.