Reacções à morte de John Peel

«If it wasn't for John Peel, there would be no Joy Division and no New Order.»
Bernard Sumner, ex-Joy Division, New Order

«I mean the guy really was somebody who looked after you - he had a love of music and helped people who made music. He was the only support we had in the beginning - they were very cold and lonely days, and I've got an awful feeling that there'll be a lot of very lonely, cold, days without him . It's a really sad moment - for music, for radio, for groups in general. I'd hate to be in a new group starting out without John Peel.»
Peter Hook, ex-Joy Division, New Order

«John Peel was a genuine one-off, whether on Radio 1 or Radio 4. He was a unique voice in British broadcasting and used that voice to unearth new talent and different subjects and make them accessible to a much wider audience. The prime minister knows he will be missed by everyone.»
Porta voz de Tony Blair, Primeiro-ministro britãnico

«He was a maverick and he got away with it.»
Steve Lamacq, BBC

«In the autumn of 1978, something happened that was to change my life forever - John Peel played Teenage Kicks on the radio for the very first time. Today, it just changed again, forever.»
Feargal Sharkey, ex-Undertones

«He really did trawl through mailbags of demo cassettes. That's why we had Pulp and T-Rex, because he'd been discovering bands like that since 1967.»
Laura Cantrell

«Who am I going to listen to now? He's been my inspiration since I was 14. I'm thinking about you. Thanks John Peel.»
Thom Yorke, Radiohead

«We would try out new songs on the sessions and these often were the definitive version. John Peel was always the best around.»
Johnny Marr, ex-The Smiths

«In a world that is becoming ever more homogenised and pre-programmed, John Peel stuck up for the 'sore thumbs' of the music scene and I really can't think of anyone who could have done it better or who's going to do it now he's gone.»
Jarvis Cocker, ex-Pulp

«The Holy Grail was the 'John Peel Session' - no doubt about it. Not only did you get airing on Radio 1, he paid musicians union rates, which was unusual.»
Peter Hooten, The Farm

«If it wasn't for John Peel, Black Sabbath wouldn't have got played on the radio.»
Ozzy Osbourne

«Every time you finished a good track you'd think, 'Oh, I can't wait to send that to John Peel' - let alone thinking about sending it to a record company or your fans hearing it!»
Paul Hartnoll, Orbital

«He's been such a champion of culturally diverse music - we were just saying nobody thought he was ever going to die - we thought he'd be around forever.»
Gruff, Super Furry Animals

«There really has not been much good music that has not been sorted through the filter of 'Top Gear' and 'The John Peel Show' over the years. That he was a champion, to so much talent, from Marc Bolan and Rod Stewart, to The Prefects and Siouxsie and The Banshees, to The White Stripes and Pink Floyd, is well known, his 'Peel Sessions' series world famous. (...) For your sense of humour, and your taste. And your absolute dedication to spreading the gospel of music. I shall miss you. We all shall all miss you.»
John Taylor, Duran Duran

«John was always the champion of the new and unheard. Countless artists owe him so much for his enthusiasm, including myself. He helped me in the formative stages of my career and I will never forget his kindness and humour. Needless to say I was shocked and upset to hear of his passing. I hope Liverpool F.C. holds a minute?s silence in his memory. That would mean an awful lot.»
Elton John

«It's very appropriate because it's all the sort of music that John would have chosen.»
Michael Eavis, da organização do Festival de Glastonbury, depois de anunciar que o palco dos novos talentos do evento passará a ter o nome John Peel Stage.

«It was because of him I got to hear some of the most obscure but influential music I ever heard.»
James Dean Bradfield, Manic Streat Preachers

«John Peel's patronage was for me, like countless other musicians, one of the most significant things that happened to us in our careers. The world is going to be a poorer place with his sudden departure. I will miss him deeply.»
Damon Albarn, Blur

«We've just heard the tragic news that John Peel the long serving radio 1 DJ has passed away aged 65. It seems right to pass our respects to one of the most important and down right nicest people we have known in music. John was unbelievably passionate about music as well as being incredibly humble, he was always slightly embarrased when people told him that he'd changed their lives even though it must have happened many times every day. As far as Mogwai are concerned his help over the years has been incalculable (all songs bar two on our upcoming BBC album were recorded for his show). He was a champion and an inspiration and he will be greatly missed. Bye John.»
Mogwai

«Although his passing leaves behind a disheartened and grieving music world, let us remember that John Peel, DJ, Football lover, pop icon, husband and rock pioneer lived a remarkable life by just being true to himself, his audience and most importantly the music he loved. He will be missed.»
Rob Levy, tinymixtapes.com

«Espero bem que Mark E.Smith e os Fall não percam tempo a lançar uma diatribe anti-peruana, tipo "Fuck The Andes". John Peel era a pessoa mais importante da música popular britânica. Ouvia-o quase todos os dias de semana desde 1975. A música nova e difícil, a partir de agora, já não tem embaixador na BBC. Fartei-me de chorar, foda-se.»
Miguel Esteves Cardoso

(Depoimentos retirados das mais diversas proveniências, com especial incidência em bbc.co.uk e nme.com)