THERE have been many tributes to John Peel, the broadcaster who died of a heart attack while on holiday in Peru aged 65. Stephen Dorril, author and Huddersfield University lecturer, says Peel was also a very nice chap.
Peel came to Huddersfield Polyetchnic twice when Dorril was social secretary in the 1970s and booking all the top names, from The Jam to Elvis Costello.
"He came to see The Undertones and The Killermeters on one occasion. And I booked him for a local band night. It was his name that pulled the crowds in. He was very much a nice person. I think people thought they couldn't go up and talk to him but he was very open. We talked about all sorts of things."
They had much in common: Kidderminster was Dorril's home town and Peel had been DJ at the town's Frank Freeman's Dance Academy. "He was a boyhood hero of mine."
After Peel had successfully fronted the local bands night, Dorril went to pay him.
"His fee was £300, which was a lot of money in the 1970s. When I tried to give him the money he said, I don't need it. Give it to the bands. Some of the bands were doing the gig for free. It was a very nice bonus for them. A gift from a genuinely nice man."
