An unlikely national hero

Those strong feelings across at least three generations will probably mean healthy sales for rock journalist Mick Wall's timely and very readable tribute.

At first, as a Peel fan who remembers the great man's interest in the quirkier end of the musical spectrum, I was a little concerned at the pedigree of the author. As someone who has written books on mainstream rock artists like Guns 'N' Roses, Ozzy Osbourne and Status Quo, I wondered whether he was the right man for the job.

But Wall's poignant account of Peelie's softly-softly rise to the status of a national institution is a pleasure to read and is plainly written from a well-informed fan's point of view.

I was reassured by the accompanying press release pointing out that the author was a regular guest on Peel prodigy Andy Kershaw's Sunday afternoon radio show in the late 1980s, which brought him into contact with the great man.

Mick makes plain his own devotion to Peelie in his introduction, a familiar story of listening to weird and wonderful music under the bedclothes as a youngster.

Amusingly, he recalls that Peelie showed him how to master the intricacies of BBC coffee machines, a typical down-to-earth gesture from someone who will be sorely missed by thousands, if not millions.

JOHN PEEL: A Life In Music by Michael Heatley (Michael O'Mara Books, £14.99)

THE popularity of the late, great John Peel and the proximity of Christmas means there is likely to be a profusion of hastily written biographies about the legendary DJ available in the shops.

A random dip into this latest contribution by respected music historian Michael Heatley suggests that this should be a leading contender.

It is liberally sprinkled with fantastic quotes and anecdotes and seems particularly strong on the late 1960s, when Peel was arguably at his height, playing cutting-edge music from the counter-culture.

The fact that my particular icons, The Incredible String Band and Bridget St John get more than a passing mention suggests that the author knows his subject.

Like John Peel, Michael Heatley was born and bred on Merseyside, spent much of his youth on the Liverpool football terraces and - according to the sleeve notes - was an avid listener to Top Gear.

One of my favourite quotes from this book comes from Peel's long-standing producer John Walters, who was heard to say: "If Peel ever hits puberty we're in real trouble."

A good selection of photographs gives the book a well-rounded feel. You pays your money and takes your choice.

Published: 14/12/2004