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John Peel: Margrave of the Marshes Paperback – June 1, 2007

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

21 ratings

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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.

Print length

432 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Chicago Review Press
Publication date

June 1, 2007
Dimensions

6.25 x 1 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1556526520
ISBN-13

978-1556526527
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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

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chicago Review Press; Illustrated edition (June 1, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1556526520
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1556526527
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,761,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #154 in Radio History & Criticism (Books)
- #314 in Punk Musician Biographies
- #826 in Music Recording & Sound (Books)

Customer Reviews:
21 ratings

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4.7 out of 5

21 global ratings

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Rory Draper

Great read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 1, 2020

Verified Purchase

It was a present for my Dad and he loved it. He said it wa written well and gave him music history facts that he did not know and tips for bands to listen to

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PaulKSaunders

He changed music for me forever

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 3, 2013

Verified Purchase

Without a doubt John Peel changed my life he opened me up to a world of music I never knew existed - you are truly missed!

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Donald E. Gilliland

Half-Peeled, but still tasty

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 25, 2013

Ah, to think what this book could have been. As you probably know John Peel died before he could finish this memoir, which is a shame because in the 165 pages that he does write, Peele proves to be a very engaging, very self-deprecating, and very funny writer. Die-hard Peel fans and music addicts may also be disappointed that most of these chapters focus on his childhood and young adulthood period, including the years that he spent living and working in the US state of Texas in the early 1960s (Peel writes one amazing account about meeting JFK in Dallas!). So, what made Peel most famous --- his years as a BBC disc jockey and influential music tastemaker --- is not covered by the man himself. But even in those 165 pages, Peel offers many examples of what influenced and powered his love for music.

But the music does not entirely die with the end of Peel's contributions to this book. His widow, Sheila Ravenscroft, does an outstanding job of filling in the resultant blanks, plus she uses portions of Peel's diary to recount various events, incidents, and personalities that he meets over the years as a DJ. His close friendship, and later falling out, with Marc Bolan of T.Rex, is one especially fascinating passage. Of course we all could have wished for a "complete" John Peel memoir, and lots more music observations, but given the situation and limitations, I feel that Sheila did a most commendable job of finishing this book and making it as interesting as it was. And frankly, she's a darn good writer too. Sympathetic, observant, and funny. No wonder she and John were such a devoted couple.

2 people found this helpful

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Paul A. Kirwan

John's Life 'Peeled' away !!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 12, 2009

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.

2 people found this helpful

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S. Enenkel

The Real Deal

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 21, 2008

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.

5 people found this helpful

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MEK

I Couldn't Wait

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 13, 2008

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.

4 people found this helpful

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RadDad

Disjointed and disappointing

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 21, 2009

Verified Purchase

The first half, written by Peel, is fairly interesting, if disjointed. But the half finished posthumously by his family is a shocking derailment of a narrative just getting underway. It's a shame that John couldn't finish his autobiography - he led an interesting life at an interesting time.

3 people found this helpful

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Richard C. Nicholls

too much personal info, little music info

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 16, 2011

Verified Purchase

I stopped reading this once I discovered it was more of a love memoir from Peel's wife than a biography of his brilliant life as a dj.

One person found this helpful

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