John Peel Margrave of the Marshes

Kick off

Who would you vote for best Britain? Churchill, Elizabeth I, Nelson, Lennon? I think John Peel should be up their with the greats. Margrave of the Marshes is like one of John's loves; football, a game of two halves. The first half kicks off with John's unique voice, full of his characteristic humour. John tells the story of his life from his school days to Radio 1 with a lot of fun but also with some amazingly frank admissions. He doesn't pull any punches, not even with his friends and family. Detailing National Service to Elvis to the Beatles and a great, almost mindless love for Liverpool FC. One thing that was surprising to me was the time he spent in Texas. Bolstered by the British Invasion, he managed to persuade the local radio station to include him as their Beatles expert - to them he could have been one. He tells his life story with all of the dry wit that you might expect, and I loved every word. Absolutely wonderful and very inspiring.

The Second Half

Then John dies in October 2004, even this didn't stop the completion of his book though. A couple of pages into the second half, my despair soon turned to elation. Well, not really, but Sheila Ravenscroft, his wife, has taken the ball from John and scored a most amazing and tearful goal. It is quite clear that Sheila knew him best, so I am sure that this book is even better than it would have been, had it not been for John's demise. Well, no, that's bollocks. The book is complete, Yin and Yang are in perfect harmony and Sheila certainly balanced the book well. This can not have been easy for her or her family, but she did it, and I am sure John would be very proud of her.

Fades in nicely...

If you are a music fan, this book is essential. It is an incredible journal of an extraordinary man. Someone, who devoted his life to unsigned artists. He was the God of the Demo Tape. I found this very inspiring. I even redesigned the alternative music section of MacIDOL as a shrine to this spirit.

Teenage Kicks

Reading this book has changed the way I even listen to music. I am a lot less "critical", and am more like a teenager now, which is after all when most people first get really excited about music. This is when music is everything, bigger than religion and an escape from homework and revision. Ever fallen in love with someone?

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