I'm currently reading a
biography - authored by quite a vain and self-righteous music critic - of the late great British radio DJ and pop music aficionado John Peel, which is conjuring some rather interesting thoughts about radio, radio personalities and what we expect of them.
I, as a kiwi youngster was never fortunate enough to hear Peel in his 37 years on BBC Radio 1, or his brief stint on Pirate Radio London on his
Perfumed Garden show during the late sixties (which may seem similar to many considering the latest topical
media based on the era). But what I've gathered about the 'genius' from this book is how he inspired multiple generations of British through his eternal love for music.
Not only was Peel cutting edge in his music selection (he is acclaimed for introducing the world (Britain) to The Strokes, The White Stripes, The Velvet Underground, The Grateful Dead and practically every one in between) but he is notified for his dry scouse accent, whimsical stories of mice and his private life, and trade mark of playing music non-interrupted for at times hours, conscious of those at home recording the show on cassette. During these intense sessions he would sometimes play entire albums.
As one who is currently introducing himself to the world of radio and DJing, I find the possibilities present when creating a playlist overwhelming. I try to take into consideration what the listenership wants to hear, what will work well together, and just as much what I want to play and what tone I want my radio show to have. Therefore Peels lack of regard for all of the above in pursuit of simply playing good music while in the same stroke effortlessly pleasing legions of loyal listeners not only brilliant ... it
is genius.
A part of me longs for more simple times when instead of an electronic playlist, a DJ brings in his own records to play in the studio, and instead of streaming the radio off the internet (as it seems this is the only way the station for which I DJ,
The VBC, is reachable) listeners would record radio shows by, as mentioned, cassette tape. It seems to me with the technology avaliable with the internet delivering millions of obscure artists to bedrooms around the world, it is harder to capture an edge, or perhaps a point of difference in a radio show today, as there are so many different sources to compete with for the listeners attention. Why stream the VBC to hear what some DJ thinks is good when iTunes is right there?
It is not so much a question of whether radio is a dying medium or not, it is an enquiry into how radio can be
revitalised. Into how a person can capture the listenerships imagination and loyalty through ones love of music. What is needed in radio today? And how can one deliver it? In New Zealand perhaps this is more answerable as our major pop music networks are overloaded with crass, loud, obnoxious DJs playing practical jokes on each other and spinning the same record three times every two hours. Perhaps it is time for another Peel; not a DJ but a humanic presenter who speaks to you as though you're the only one listening, as though the host and the audience are best friends and the music played is a secret just between the two of you.
I ask what others think about this. Because I certainly wonder...
- C. Gilbert
