ITV

Tag: John Peel

  • BBC radio icon John Peel passes away

    BBC radio icon John Peel passes away

    MUMBAI: One of the giants of British radio BBC disc jockey John Peel, whose nightly Radio One programme is credited with launching the careers of British bands including New Order and Joy Division passed away from al heart attack.

    He was 65 years old..Peel is credited with nurturing musicians and introducing listeners to new sounds.

    Radio One controller Andy Parfitt said: “John Peel was a broadcasting legend. I am deeply saddened by his death as are all who work at Radio 1. Hopeful bands all over the world would send their demo tapes to John knowing that he really cared. His commitment and passion for new music only grew stronger over the years.

    “John’s influence has towered over the development of popular music for nearly four decades and his contribution to modern music and music culture is immeasurable..
     

    BBC DG Mark Thompson said, “He was one of the giants of radio and will be missed, not just by everyone at the BBC, but by millions of listeners of all ages.” Peel also presented a weekly BBC World Service music programme.

    Meanwhile Kershaw, a DJ on BBC Radio 3, was quoted in a report saying that Peel’s schedule at Radio 1 had been affecting his health. Kershaw wrote an article in The Independent saying that the last time he saw Peel, he looked absolutely worn out. Peel had informed him that his Radio 1 slot had been moved and that the combination of that and Home Truths (his Radio 4 show) was taking a toll. Kershaw added that Peel felt he had been marginalised.

    Peel broadcast on Radio 1 three times a week in the 10 pm-midnight timeslot until July. He was moved to the 11pm -1am slot

    BBC World Service director Nigel Chapman said, ” He was a very popular, pioneering presenter who broadened the horizons of generations of global listeners. He was a tireless enthusiast for new music in all its forms and his passion and warmth touched the lives of millions around the world. A great advocate of the World Service, he played a key role in our recent 70th Anniversary celebrations. His innovative and iconic style will be greatly missed.”

  • BBC’s 70th anniversary celebration includes live broadcast from India

    BBC’s 70th anniversary celebration includes live broadcast from India

    MUMBAI: The 70th anniversary of the BBC World Service includes a three-hour broadcast of live entertainment and performances from musicians in India, Senegal, Great Britain, Afghanistan and Mexico. On Thursday 19 December, the actual birthday, BBC World Service will present the day’s programmes live from Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.

    In Mumbai, the global party celebrations on 15 December, will be led by the well-known Indian musicians Trilok Gurtu and Adnan Sami. The party will be broadcast live from the five venues across the world on Red FM radio channel (India) and the BBC World Service. The acquisition of this programme by Living Media’s Red FM channel marks the introduction of a novel concept wherein Indian listeners can be part of a global broadcast.

    BBC World Service Director, English Networks and News Phil Harding said: “Seventy years ago a switch was thrown on a new wireless transmitter in Northamptonshire and messages were beamed to Canada, Australia and other parts of the Empire. As part of the 70th anniversary programmes BBC World Service plans an ambitious concert for listeners around the world with live links to five centres,” in an official statement.

    “It is an example of the way BBC World Service, which now has a global audience of 150 million and an internet presence in 43 languages, continues to stretch itself and to embrace the future,” Harding was quoted as saying in the official press release.

    Among the major special broadcasts that BBC Worldwide service has scheduled for the week:
    a World Service 70th Birthday Lecture delivered by UN secretary general, Kofi Annan;
    a World Service Global Party , a special live concert taking place in five countries across four continents;
    and a day of special programming on the birthday itself presented from the site of the World Service’s first re-broadcast – the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.

    UN secretary general Kofi Annan had delivered a 70th birthday lecture from the United Nations building in New York and answered questions from listeners around the world on 11 December to begin the fortnight of special programmes.

    Similar to the one being planned in Mumbai’s Oberoi Towers Hotel, another huge party will be hosted at Bush House, London, by DJs John Peel and Emma B. Senegalese superstar Youssou N’dour and Mercury Music award winner Ms Dynamite are slated to perform.

    In Dakar, Baaba Maal tops the bill. Afghan musicians will play in Kabul and enable their countrymen to enjoy a musical revival after years of music being banned during the Taliban regime.

    In Mexico, the eight-piece semi-acoustic tropi-punk bank, Los de Abajo will perform.

    On Thursday 19 December, the actual birthday, BBC World Service will present the day’s programmes live from Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.

    Presenters Heather Payton (Outlook) and Ben Malor (Africa Live) will introduce 14 hours of programmes, from dawn to dusk, and read listeners’ e-mails.

    Once an hour A Day in the Life of the World will highlight people connected to the BBC worldwide, including an engineer who services a transmitter in the mid-Atlantic.

    The other highlights in the fortnight of celebration include:
    a special edition of Pick of the World;
    an extended Newshour with a daily in-depth interview with a key international figure;
    and new analysis of significant world events in From Our Own Correspondent by BBC correspondents who covered the stories at the time including Kate Adie, Mark Tully, Brian Barron and Mike Wooldridge.

    Listeners’ Tales, a series of short vox pops with celebrities and listeners whose lives have been affected by the BBC World Service, will be broadcast throughout December 19.

    This is London, throughout the week of Monday 16 December, will examine key moments in the life of the BBC World Service over the last 70 years.

    The other programmes will explore the birth of the Empire Service (as the BBC World Service then was); the story of the Arabic Service; the Cold War days; and the BBC World Service since 9/11.

    The votes cast by listeners around the world will determine The World’s Top 10 records and will be announced by Steve Wright on Saturday 21 December in Wright Round the World.