I couldn't let the passing of John Peel last week go without a mention.

John Peel probably made more of a contribution to British music (and its effect on the rest og the world) in the last 50 years than anyone else. As a DJ on UK's Radio 1, he spoke to succeeding waves of kids and was responsible for breaking new bands such as Radiohead, The Undertones, The Clash, The Smiths, Pulp, T-Rex, New Order and many, many more.

As well as his passion for musical innovation, his dry, laconic delivery reached out to angst-ridden teens throughout the UK.

I have a personal anecdote about the man, which demonstrates to me his genuine nice-ness and passion for music.

On my first night at University, we had the John Peel Road Show. John was being paid £800 for the night. Supporting him was a local, unknown Birmingham (England) band called The Beat (or The English Beat as they became in the US). They were being paid £80 for the night and they were great.

At the end of the night, John Peel quietly swapped cheques with the boys. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.

He then promoted them on his show and they made it big, subsequently becoming the Fine Young Cannibals.

Farewell, John. You made your mark on the world, which is all any of us can really ask.

More Peel here, here, and here.