John Peel has died

We have just lost a really unique independent spirited broadcaster, who loved music, life, his family, his pets and his home.

He not only played music for generations of people who took the gift of music and songs as seriously as he did, but he also broadcast a programme about people's lives and eccentricities on BBC Radio 4 {The station for the older generation, like me }.

I feel as though I have lost a real friend. Goodbye John, may you rest in peace in music heaven.

I'm totally shocked by this news. I only found out now on Sky News about 30 mins ago and I still can't take it in.

I first read of Johns championing reputation about 8 years ago but I only actually started listening to his show about 3 years ago but I was immediately hooked and listened almost religiously to it ever since every tue-wed-thu. With his love of music and his enthusiastic and constant search for the 'new sound' it made him seem like a man belying his 65 years. I honestly believed I'd still be tuning into his show in 20 years time so to get this news has just hit me like a punch in the guts.

Whether it was the Pigs Big 78, The Festive 50, or the now celebrated Peel Sessions it all went together to convince me that he was the #1 source to go to if you wanted to discover what was still right about music in this world of increasingly polished, packaged rubbish that now dominates the airwaves.

I know he was just a voice on the radio but I'm gonna miss the guy almost like a close family member. I can honestly say I've never felt such affection for a member of 'the entertainment media' as I did for John and the world is gonna be a lesser place without him in it.

Farewell John and my sympathies to Sheila and your four children of which you always spoke so fondly. Music is never going to be the same for me again without you around.