Why John Peel is the only person with a Glastonbury stage named after him
Celebrating 10 years of the John Peel Stage by remembering the perfect synergy between the greatly missed DJ and Worthy Farm
He was a master at choosing the bands that were going to make it"Michael Eavis
's own Glastonbury experiences went back to the 70s, but for fans he'll forever be associated with his on-site broadcasts, starting in 1997. Alongside he brought the joy of the festival to living rooms across the land, ensuring those without tickets felt there in spirit.
Peel died in 2004, and the following year Michael Eavis renamed the New Bands Stage after him, : "It's very appropriate because it's all the sort of music that John would have chosen... He was a master at choosing the bands that were going to make it."
Ten years after the birth of the John Peel Stage, here's a reminder of the special bond between the DJ and Worthy Farm...
1997 - John Peel and Jo Whiley begin broadcasting from Glastonbury
The theme of this event so far has been mud, and it's good British mud at that"John Peel
The year that 大象传媒 Two starting broadcasting from Glastonbury - 1997 - was an odd one. After headline sets by and on Friday and Saturday nights, Sunday headliner cancelled and got the promotion of a lifetime. It was also dubbed "the year of mud" and in their debut link, Peel and Whiley put on brave faces. "The theme of this event so far has been mud, and it's good British mud at that," says Peel, wryly, before describing the only other festival quagmire he’d experienced that was worse.
The weather caused the Other Stage to sink, resulting in bands being cancelled - including pop punk group , featuring . Doesn't she look comfortable in front of the camera!
1998 - Another year of "good British mud"
The mud returned in 1998 and, according to , some poor punters ended up getting trench foot. Whiley and Peel broadcast "splatted in brown" - clearly after this photo of Team 大象传媒 Glastonbury 1998 was taken of them with Jools Holland, Jayne Middlemiss and Jamie Theakston.
1999 - The year Peel heard Lonnie Donegan everywhere he went
That's Underworld, showing undeniable Lonnie Donnegan influence"John Peel
Whether it's the sun, mud, lack of sleep or ley lines, people can go a bit loopy at Glastonbury. In 1999, Peel (above with Jo Whiley) seemed to be having aural hallucinations. He detected the influence of the skiffle pioneer Lonnie Donegan in Orbital's music, and it became a theme of his broadcasts. "That's Underworld, showing undeniable Lonnie Donegan influence," he said of the techno group.
2002 - Talking Orbital glasses with Lauren and Jo
Come 2002, Lauren Laverne was part of the 大象传媒 Glastonbury team. Here she is on her first day talking with Peel and Whiley about dance music duo and those they used to wear. Also from 2002, check the at 6 minutes - while Coldplay's Yellow plays.
2010 - Jo and Michael Eavis remember Peel
Glastonbury - John Peel
Jo Whiley and Michael Eavis remember John Peel and his special connection with the Glastonbury festival.
He embodied what Glastonbury, the experience, should be about"Jo Whiley
In this clip, Jo says about Peel: "John was what people think of when they think of Glastonbury. He embodied what Glastonbury, the experience, should be about." She also seems surprised when he says he's looking forward to seeing prog-rockers - exactly the kind of band Peel railed against in the 70s and 80s. "Do you have a relationship with Yes?" Jo asks. "Only one of deep, unremitting hatred," John replies.
2011 - Poet Tony Walsh reads his tribute to John Peel
Glastonbury 2011 - Poet Tony Walsh's tribute to John Peel
Tony Walsh, Glastonbury's website Poet-in-Residence, reads his tribute to John Peel.
You鈥檙e missed on the wireless and Glastonbury telly"Tony Walsh
In 2011, Tony Walsh was Glastonbury's official Poet-in-Residence. As well as writing before the festival started, he came up with this lovely tribute to John, Keeping it Peel: Teenage Kicker Conspiracy, which he read (from 3:45) to Cerys Matthews: "You're missed on the wireless and Glastonbury telly / And it's not the same without Peel in his wellies."
2014 - Fat White Family perform on the John Peel Stage
Fat White Family on the John Peel stage
Watch Fat White Family's set from the John Peel stage at Glastonbury Festival 2014
Over the last 10 years, it's become a rite of passage for new bands to play the John Peel Stage. Would Peel have approved of every act booked to play under his name? Of course not, but we suspect he might have enjoyed the artful grot of London's in 2014. Click for 2015's John Peel Stage line-up.
