The New Musical Express is a weekly British music publication launched in 1952. Unlike former competitors such as Melody Maker and Sounds, the NME survives today, although only online. After moving away from the “inky” newspaper format of earlier years to become more of a glossy magazine, it became a freesheet in September 2015. The final print edition appeared in March 2018.
The NME was challenged in the 1960s by Melody Maker and Disc & Music Echo, with both papers showing more awareness of new trends in the music scene and gaining readers as a result. Peel was rarely mentioned in the NME and the paper focused on the singles charts when LPs and the "Underground" werw becoming more important, But it became the leading pop weekly in the 1970s, succeeding Melody Maker and the ailing Disc by changing its approach. At the time, Pete Frame wrote:
Amusing to see that the New Musical Express have undergone a very peculiar transfiguration from teenybop to progressive heavy, man. The older guys seem to have stepped into the shadows and left it to a new, young, forceful breed of journalists to explore areas of progressive music; good for laughs. (Zigzag 24, early 1972, no page number)
Despite this mockery, the new NME recruits, some of whom had written for the underground press, like Mick Farren and Barry Miles (who both joined NME after International Times ceased publication) and future celebrity rock journalists Nick Kent (ex-Frendz), Charles Shaar Murray (formely of Oz) and Ian Macdonald, brought a more critical and irreverent tone to the paper, which contrasted with the earnestness of much Melody Maker writing and helped pave the way for the arrival of punk. After 1976 NME was the pop paper most sympathetic to Peel's tastes and remained so until the mid-1990s.
While Peel never wrote a regular column for NME, as he did for Disc & Music Echo and Sounds, he was frequently mentioned in its pages, and wrote occasional pieces, such a review of the publication's Ruby Trax 40th anniversary release in the 1992-10-10 issue.
Covers[]
According to a Wikipedia list of covers dating back to 1969, Peel appeared on the NME front page four times. In August 2015, the magazine selected the Peel tribute cover of November 2004 as one of its 50 Greatest Covers.[1]
Awards[]
According to rocklistmusic.co.uk, Peel or his programme won the NME Pop Poll/Readers Poll every year from 1972 to 1993, with the exceptions of some years. However, there are discrepancies with the site and published images of the results on the internet, with the 1975 Best DJ awarded on the Rocklistmusic site [2] given to John Peel rather than Noel Edmonds on the NME published image.[3]
In 1994, Peel picked up NME’s "Godlike Genius Award". At the NME awards in 2005 he was named "Hero Of The Year" and posthumously given a special award for "Lifelong Service To Music". The same event saw the introduction of the "John Peel Award For Musical Innovation".[4] [5]
Awards In Detail[]
- 1972: Best DJ. Sounds Of The Seventies best radio show.
- 1973: Best DJ. Sounds Of The Seventies best radio show.
- 1976: Best DJ.
- 1977: Best DJ. John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1978: Best DJ. John Peel Show best radio show.[6]
- 1979: Best DJ & Most Wonderful Human Being. John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1980: Best DJ.
- 1981: Best DJ. John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1982: John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1984: John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1985: John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1986: John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1988: John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1989: John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1990: John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1991: John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1992: John Peel Show best radio show.
- 1993: John Peel Show best radio show.
Mixed Peel[]
In 1987, the NME hooked up with Strange Fruit to release a Peel sessions compilation cassette, Mixed Peel.
NME V/A Compilations[]
Plays by Peel of various artist releases from the NME. The DJ also gave airtime to the Capital Radio NME EP featuring the Clash (see band page) and at least one of a short-lived NME singles club featuring Peel session material (see 04 September 1993). Please add more information if known. All releases compiled by Roy Carr except those marked *.
(cassette - NME / Rough Trade C81) NME / Rough Tapes COPY 001
- 02 March 1981: Wah! Heat: 7,000 Names Of Wah
- 04 March 1981: Robert Wyatt: Born Again Cretin
- 04 March 1981: Scritti Politti: The "Sweetest Girl"
- 04 March 1981: Massed Carnaby St. John Cooper Clarkes: The Day My Pad Went Mad
- 09 March 1981]: Wah! Heat: 7,000 Names Of Wah
- 10 March 1981: Scritti Politti: The "Sweetest Girl" (aborted due to the tape playing at the wrong speed - a first says John. Suggests it might be the 10.5" DJ promo reel to reel.)
- 16 March 1981: Cabaret Voltaire: Raising The Count
- 17 March 1981: Raincoats: Shouting Out Loud
- 18 March 1981: Buzzcocks: You Can't
- 01 April 1981: Robert Wyatt: Born Again Cretin
(cassette - NME / Charly Pocket Jukebox) NME 005
- 02 June 1982: Dixie Cups: Iko Iko
- 18 December 1997: George Perkins & Silver Stars: Cryin' In The Streets
(cassette - Mighty Reel) NME 004
- 06 October 1982: Michael Smith: Trainer
(cassette - Racket Packet) NME 006
- 17 March 1983: Heartbeat: Spook Sex
- 28 March 1983: Animal Nightlife: Shark Fin Soup
- 28 March 1983: Eric Bogosian: Live At The ICA (Extracts)
- 29 March 1983: Heartbeat: Spook Sex
- 30 March 1983: Box: Out
(cassette - Stompin' At The Savoy) NME 007
- 17 March 1983: H-Bomb Ferguson: My Brown Frame Baby
- 29 March 1983: Art Pepper Quartet: Brown Gold
(cassette - Smile Jamaica) NME10 *
- 11 April 1983: Scott: Skank In Bed
(cassette - Department Of Enjoyment) NME 011
- 02 June 1984 (BFBS): Mighty Wah!: Come Back
- 02 June 1984 (BFBS): Hüsker Dü: Real World
- 02 June 1984 (BFBS): Cocteau Twins: Millimillenary
(cassette - Raging Spool) NME 014
- 31 December 1984 (BBC World Service): Three Johns: Sad House
- 31 December 1984 (BBC World Service): Test Dept.: V.F.M.
- 09 January 1985: Floy Joy: Into The Hot
- 09 January 1985: Skiff Scats: Cripple Creek
- 09 January 1985: Cabaret Voltaire: Mercy Man
- 14 January 1985 (BBC World Service): Floy Joy: Into The Hot
- 22 January 1985: Strawberry Switchblade: Deep Water
- 28 January 1985 (BBC World Service): Strawberry Switchblade: Deep Water
- 28 January 1985 (BBC World Service): Skiff Scats: Cripple Creek
(7" EP - NME Readers' Poll Winners '84) NME GIV 1
- 20 May 1985 (BBC World Service): Cocteau Twins: Ivo (New Version)
- 20 May 1985 (BBC World Service): Smiths: What She Said (Live)
- 20 May 1985 (BBC World Service): Bronski Beat: Hard Rain
(7" EP - NME's Big Four) NME GIV 3
- 23 January 1986 (BFBS): Jesus And Mary Chain: Some Candy Talking
- 28 January 1986: Jesus And Mary Chain: Some Candy Talking
- 29 January 1986: Jesus & Mary Chain: Some Candy Talking
- 29 January 1986 (VPRO): Husker Du: Ticket To Ride
- 29 January 1986 (VPRO): Jesus And Mary Chain: Some Candy Talking
- 30 January 1986 (BFBS): Hüsker Dü: 'Ticket To Ride
- 03 February 1986: Jesus & Mary Chain: Some Candy Talking
- 10 February 1986: Jesus & Mary Chain: Some Candy Talking
- 29 April 1986: Jesus & Mary Chain: Some Candy Talking
- 30 December 1986: Jesus & Mary Chain: Some Candy Talking FF#09
- 15 August 1990: Jesus & Mary Chain: Some Candy Talking
- 13 July 1991: Husker Du: Ticket To Ride
(cassette - C86) NME 022
- 31 May 1986 (BFBS): We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It: Console Me
- 31 May 1986 (BFBS): McCarthy: Celestial City
- 31 May 1986 (BFBS): Wedding Present: This Boy Can Wait (A Bit Longer!)
- 31 May 1986 (BFBS): Bogshed: Run To The Temple
- 04 June 1986: Close Lobsters: Firestation Towers
- 04 June 1986: Shop Assistants: It's Up To You
- 04 June 1986: Stump: Buffalo
- 07 June 1986 (BFBS): Age Of Chance: From Now On This Will Be Your God
- 10 June 1986: Age Of Chance: From Now On, This Will Be Your God
- 11 June 1986: Wedding Present: This Boy Can Wait (A Bit Longer!)
- 11 June 1986: We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It: Console Me
- 16 June 1986: Stump: Buffalo
- 17 June 1986: Mighty Lemon Drops: Happy Head
- 02 July 1986: Miaow: Sport Most Royal
- 14 July 1986: Big Flame: New Way (Quick Wash And Brush Up With Liberation Theology)
(7" - Fourplay NME GIV 4
- 09 September 1986: Mantronix: Hardcore Hip Hop (NME Version)
- 22 September 1986: Mantronix: Hardcore Hip Hop (NME Version)
(cassette - We Have Come For Your Children) NME 024
- 11 November 1986: Jades Of Fort Worth: Little Girl
(cassette - The Latin Kick) NME 025
- 11 November 1986: Fania All Stars: Congo Bongo
- 18 November 1986: Ray Barretto: El Watusi
(7" - NME's Hat-Trick) NME GIV 5
- 21 January 1987: Sonic Youth: White Kross
- 04 February 1987: Sonic Youth: White Kross
- 27 February 1987 (BFBS): Sonic Youth: White Kross
- 06 May 1997: Steinski & The Mass Media: The Motorcade Sped On
(LP - I Dreamt I Was Elvis) NME PRO 5
- 29 April 1987: Truitt Forse: Chicken Bop
(cassette – Mixed Peel) NME 033
- 21 December 1987: Electro Hippies: Mega-Armageddon Death
- 21 December 1987: Electro Hippies: Chickens
- 21 December 1987: Gang Of Four: At Home He's A Tourist
- 14 January 1988 (BBC World Service): Birthday Party: Release The Bats
(cassette, 2xLP - The Tape With No Name) NME 034
- 05 January 1988: Johnny Cash: The Night Hank Williams Came To Town
(LP - Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father) NME PEP LP-100
- 09 February 1988: Fall: A Day In The Life
- 09 February 1988: Sonic Youth: Within You Without You
- 09 February 1988: Wedding Present: Getting Better
- 09 February 1988: Triffids: Good Morning Good Morning
- 10 February 1988: Fall: A Day In The Life
- 12 February 1988 (BFBS): Wedding Present: Getting Better
- 12 February 1988 (BFBS): Sonic Youth: Within You, Without You
- 16 February 1988: Christians: Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
- 19 February 1988 (BFBS): Fall: A Day In The Life
- 29 February 1988: Sonic Youth: Within You Without You
- 19 December 1988: Fall: A Day In The Life
- 13 July 1991: Sonic Youth: Within You, Without You
- 13 July 1991: Wedding Present: It's Getting Better
- 14 July 1991: Fall: A Day In The Life
- 10 August 1992 (BFBS): Fall: A Day in the Life
- 02 December 1998: Fall: A Day In The Life
- 18 March 2003: Fall: A Day In The Life
(2xLP - Bird Lives: The Complete Dial Masters) NME - JU-6-7333
- 22 August 1988: Charlie Parker: Moose The Mooche
- 05 September 1988: Charlie Parker Septet: Yardbird Suite
- 07 September 1988: Charlie Parker Septet: Ornithology
(LP - Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die) NME NAM 1
- 14 November 1988: Jimmy Holiday: I'm Gonna Help Hurry My Brothers Home
- 22 November 1988: Johnny Taylor: Jody's Got Your Girl And Gone
- 23 November 1988: William Bell: Marching Off To War
- 29 November 1988: Lightnin' Hopkins: Vietnam Blues Pts 1 & 2
- 06 December 1988: Joe Tex: I Believe I'm Gonna Make It
(cassette - Indie City 1) NME 036
- 12 December 1988: Orange Juice: Blue Boy
- 03 January 1989: Motorhead: Motorhead
(cassette - Indie City 2) NME 037
- 02 January 1989: House Of Love: Shine On
- 10 January 1989: Smiths: Hand In Glove
(2xLP / CD - The Last Temptation Of Elvis) NME 038/039
- 04 April 1990: Jesus And Mary Chain: Guitar Man
- 04 April 1990: Cath Carroll & Steve Albini: King Creole
- 04 April 1990: Vivian Stanshall & Big Boys: (There's) No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car
- 05 April 1990: Ian McCulloch: Return To Sender
- 05 April 1990: Cramps: Jailhouse Rock
- 12 April 1990: Cath Carroll & Steve Albini: King Creole
- 30 April 1990: Cath Carroll & Steve Albini: King Creole
- 12 May 1990 (BFBS): Cath Carroll & Steve Albini: King Creole
- 12 May 1990 (BFBS): Jesus And Mary Chain: Guitar Man
- 19 May 1990 (BFBS): Viv Stanshall & The Big Boys: (There's) No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car
- 19 May 1990 (BFBS): Pop Will Eat Itself: Rock-A-Hula Baby
(2xCD - In A Field Of Their Own - Highlights Of Glastonbury 1992) NME GLASTON 1 DCD *
- 07 August 1992: Billy Bragg: Accident Waiting To Happen (Live)
- 08 August 1992: Dr Phibes And The House Of Wax Equations: Hazy Lazy Hologram
- 08 August 1992: Th' Faith Healers: Reptile Smile
- 17 August 1992 (BFBS): Curve: Fait Accompli (Live)
- 17 August 1992 (BFBS): Th' Faith Healers: Reptile Smile
- 17 August 1992 (BFBS): Billy Bragg: Accident Waiting To Happen
- 17 August 1992 (BFBS): Orb: A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules From The Centre Of The Ultraworld
- 28 August 1992: Orb: A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules From The Centre Of The Ultraworld
(3xLP / 3xCD - Ruby Trax - The NME's Roaring Forty) NME 040 *
- 25 September 1992: Fall: The Legend Of Xanadu
- 26 September 1992: Wedding Present: Cumberland Gap
- 26 September 1992: Fall: The Legend Of Xanadu
- 26 September 1992: Jesus & Mary Chain: Little Red Rooster
- 02 October 1992: Fall: Legend Of Xanadu
- 03 October 1992: Ride: The Model
- 03 October 1992: Wedding Present: Cumberland Gap
- 03 October 1992: Jesus And Mary Chain: Little Red Rooster
- 05 October 1992 (BBC World Service): Billy Bragg: When Will I See You Again?
- 09 October 1992: Curve: I Feel Love
- 11 October 1992 (BFBS): Ride: The Model
- 11 October 1992 (BFBS): Billy Bragg: When Will I See You Again?
- 16 October 1992: Fall: Legend Of Xanadu
- 17 October 1992: Fall: The Legend Of Xanadu
- 23 October 1992: Fall: Legend Of Xanadu
- 01 January 1993: Fall Legend Of Xanadu FF#5
- 21 February 1993 (BFBS): Fall: Legend Of Xanadu
- 21 March 1993 (BFBS): Fall: The Legend Of Xanadu
(2xCD - In A Field Of Their Own Volume 2 - Glastonbury 93) NME GLASTON 2DCD *
- 22 October 1993 (BFBS): Superchunk: Seed Toss
(cassette – Brat Pack '96) NME BRATS 96
- 27 January 1996: Prodigy: Firestarter (Empirion Mix)
- 27 January 1996: Pulp: Ansaphone
(CD - The Glastonbury Broadcasts Vol 1) NME-BBC GLASTO 99
- 24 June 1999: Orbital: Chime
(CD - The New Rock Revolution) NME NRR1
- 05 December 2002: Datsuns: Little Bruise
- 05 December 2002: Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Miles Away
- 10 December 2002: Beatings: What You Say
See Also[]
- Hitlist
- NME Celebrity Best Of
- NME Singles Reviews
- Portrait Of The Artist As A Consumer
- C86
- Record Collection: Auction
- Books
- Roy Carr
- Sounds
Links[]
- Wikipedia
- Official site
- NME JP interview (Paul Morley), 1979-08-18
- NME JP interview (X Moore, Paul Du Noyer), 1983-05-07
- NME JP interview (David Quantick), 1986-02-15
- NME JP / Clive Selwood interview on Strange Fruit (David Quantick), 1987-12-05
- "Cum On, Peel The Noize" - Festive Fifty 1989 list, with Peel comments (Thrills Extra!!), 1990-01-13
- NME JP obituary (Paul McNamee), 2004-10-26
- Archived Music Press: NME
- rocklistmusic.co.uk: NME Critic and Readers Lists
- My Cassette's Just Like A Bazooka?: Overview of NME cassette and other releases of the 1980s
- NME 'Godlike Genius' Award Presented to John Peel (Property From The John Peel Archive, Bonham's auction, 2022)