Ten Acts John Peel Championed Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pulp

John Peel was a DJ at a gig at Sheffield Polytechnic, when a young Jarvis Cocker gave him a tape of his band, Pulp. Peel listened to the tape and was impressed enough to invite Pulp to the BBC studios to record a session for his show.
Although it was some ten years or so later, after many changes to the bands line-up, before Pulp became a success. Cocker was always grateful to Peel for giving him his first break.

Answer: Peel saw their debut album in a record shop in the Netherlands

John Peel was a regular visitor to the annual music festival 'Eurosonic' held in Groningen, Netherlands. Whilst there he would visit the local record shop, it was there he came across The White Stripes debut album, he liked the look of the cover and the titles. He bought it on impulse and became a huge fan of their music.

Answer: Bragg heard Peel say on air that he was hungry and took him a curry

In 1988 Billy Bragg was listening to John Peel's show and heard Peel say he was hungry. Bragg rushed to the studio with a Mushroom Biryani in one hand and a copy of of his album, 'Life's a Riot with Spy Vs Spy' in the other. In what was to become a standing joke, Peel played a track from the album but mistakenly played it at the wrong speed!

Answer: Get it On

Marc Bolan led Tyrannosaurus in the late 1960s. Peel was one of the few DJ's to play Bolan's eclectic songs of witches, wizards and other magical topics. Tyrannosaurus Rex had two minor hits; 'One Inch Rock' and 'Debora' in 1968 largely due to Peel's airplay, the two of them became friends.

In 1970 Bolan shortened the bands name to T.Rex and took a very different musical approach; more electric based and with a much more commercial sound. Peel didn't approve and after playing 'Get it On' suggested the best bit of the record was the Chuck Berry reference: 'Meanwhile I'm still here thinking' in the fade! Bolan took offence at this and the two fell out, never to be reconciled. Bolan was killed in a road accident in 1977.

Answer: Peel was a guest reviewer for weekly music rag 'Melody Maker'

PJ Harvey paid homage to John Peel when she released an album of songs that she had recorded on his shows: 'PJ Harvey - The Peel Sessions 1991-2004'. It was released in October 2006 on the second anniversary of his death.

Answer: Billy Doherty, the drummer telephoned BBC radio and spoke to Peel

John Peel took Billy Doherty's phone-call, which became the first of many, Doherty would ask Peel to play records for him and his friends and would tell Peel about the band he was in. As soon as The Undertones had recorded their debut single 'Teenage Kicks', they sent a copy to Peel who immediately loved the song. Peel once made radio history by playing the record twice on the trot much to the amazement of The Undertones who were listening to the show.

Answer: Viv Stanshall

Richard Branson took a big gamble in his choice of first release on his newly established 'Virgin' record label. A then almost unknown Mike Oldfield, was playing what was essentially a thirty five minute track! Peel's endorsement helped send the album on its way and it became a worldwide success.

The eccentric (a term he hated) Viv Stanshall was drafted in to do the spoken parts, introducing the various instruments. Stanshall occasionally stood in for Peel on his radio show when he was away on holiday.

Answer: Hand in Glove

'Hand in Glove' failed to chart, but after a succession of studio sessions for John Peel and another DJ David Jenson, The Smiths built up a dedicated fan base. By the time they had released their eponymously titled debut album in 1984 they were one of the biggest bands in the UK, the album reached number two in the Uk's album chart.

Answer: Joy Division

John Peel's listeners will be familiar with his yearly 'Festive Fifty' countdown, the first of these was broadcast in 1976. Listeners would send in their votes, which Peel would painstakingly compile into the 'Festive Fifty', each song would be played on air. 'Atmosphere' was released in 1980 shortly after the death of Joy Division's lead singer, Ian Curtis.

Answer: Eric Bogle

Eric Bogle was born in Scotland but lives in Australia, 'The Green Fields of France' has been covered by several people including June Tabor. Another of Bogle's protest songs 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' was covered by The Pogues. The Men They Couldn't Hang are often compared to The Pogues but their songs are less about drinking and more about politics; their best known single 'Ironmasters' was banned by the BBC until they deleted the Margaret Thatcher reference.