John Peel: Margrave of the Marshes [Paperback]

John Peel (Author), Sheila Ravenscroft (Author), Jack White (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2007

When he died in 2004, John Peel was in the middle of writing his memoir, which was completed by his wife, Sheila Ravenscroft, with help from their four children. His compelling autobiography details his life as the most influential DJ in rock history. At BBC’s Radio 1, Peel helmed his own show from 1968 until his death, and first introduced UK listeners to reggae, punk, and hip-hop. T-Rex, David Bowie, the Faces, the Sex Pistols, Fairport Convention, Pink Floyd, the Clash, the Buzzcocks, the Cure, Joy Division, the Wedding Present, Def Leppard, Pulp, the Smiths, and the White Stripes have all credited Peel as a major boost to their careers. This intimate portrait of the man and his music provides firsthand remembrances of many of these acts and illuminates how this modest and unassuming man singlehandedly changed the course of rock’n’roll.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The overall portrait of the man is surreal, funny, heartbreaking, and strangely heroic."  —Library Journal

"A rich and technicolour life . . . The joy of this book comes from something more than spiky anecdotage, delicious though it is . . . the evocation of an age is so sharp. . . . An excellent read."  —The Times

"Essential reading for any student of post-War popular culture." —The Observer

"Like the man himself, both drily humorous and engagingly sentimental."  —Entertainment Weekly

"Slightly rambling, always entertaining, surprisingly memorable."  —Rain Taxi Review of Books

"A fascinating story of one man’s enduring love affair with rock and roll."  —Mojo

"Essential reading for any student of post-War popular culture."  —The Observer

"Like the man himself, both drily humorous and engagingly sentimental."  —Entertainment Weekly

About the Author

John Peel was the most influential radio DJ in the United Kingdom for more than 35 years. Sheila Ravenscroft married Peel in 1974. Jack White is a Grammy-winning rock musician, singer, music producer, and actor. He is best known as the guitarist and lead vocalist of the rock duo The White Stripes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556526520
• ISBN-13: 978-1556526527
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #494,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Wait, December 12, 2008

By 

MEK (city boy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Peel: Margrave of the Marshes (Paperback)

for this to put on the shelves in the US so I ordered my copy from a UK shop.
Was a funny and bittersweet insight into my favorite voice on the radio.
Years spent listening to Peelie via internet at odd hours here in the States, collecting the Peel Sessions... Peel formed my youth and adult life by championing the champions of music.
Best to read about his life in his and his family's own words (and getting to the point where his are cut short is just as jarring and upsetting as hearing the news back in Oct '04).
John would probably be embarrassed by a five star review but here it is.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Real Deal, January 21, 2008

By 

S. Enenkel (Markham, Ontario) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Peel: Margrave of the Marshes (Paperback)

Having been one of the girls who was mesmerized by John Ravenscroft when I was 14 and a Beatlemaniac in Dallas, imagine my surprise to find out how famous he had become. Although he had a virtual throng of young ladies eager to spend time with anyone remotely connected with the Beatles I found him be quite the gentleman whenever we were together. I remember him playing the Stones and telling me that someday they would be as big as the Beatles. It was a pleasure reading about his life with Sheila and a little bittersweet that his life ended too soon.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John's Life 'Peeled' away !!, January 12, 2009

By 

Paul A. Kirwan (Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Peel: Margrave of the Marshes (Paperback)

A beautifully written account of the life and thoughts of one of the UK's most popular DJ's. This book is written in two halves. The first half is in the words of Peel himself, and due to his untimely death, he never got to complete the full autobiography. His wife Sheila Ravenscroft narrates the second half. This is an unusual way to have completed the book, but it works and both parties can be proud of their literary skills. The book charts Peels life through his tough unbringing, difficult parential relationship, his time in the army and his five years overseas in his own words. His wife picks up the latter years but also gives an insight into their life together. I must admit to never actually listening to his radio shows (they were a little before my time) but was quite familiar with his reputation of breaking through and discovering new music. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it will appeal to any music lover. It is well written and I think that John would be proud of the final draft even if he is in another heavenly place.