Part of an irregular series of bite-sized posts about 7″ singles I own – shameless nostalgia from the days of vinyl. (Search ‘Backtracking’ to collect the set!)
Altered Images – Dead Pop Stars b/w Sentimental (Epic Records, 1980)
- Sleeve design by David Band
Nobody in their right mind could ever have accused John Peel of impropriety.
His hugely influential Radio 1 shows were a model of non racist, non sexist broadcasting without getting all tight-assed and PC about it.
He famously smashed a hip-hop record on air for its homophobic content and played reggae bands before any other mainstream DJ, refusing to be put off by the bigoted hate mail he received as a result.
This was also a man who was once seduced by Germaine Greer!
However, while the music always came first , there were frequently occasions when Peel was given to crushes on female artists, especially if they combined femininity with a strong, sassy attitude. Into this category I’d place PJ Harvey alongside modern Alt.Country divas Neko Case and Laura Cantrell.
Perhaps a more paternal affection was reserved for super cute Glaswegian 19-year-old Clare Grogan whose schoolgirl voice was more petulant than rebellious. Continue reading
More love is due for 
Jane Bown’s lifetime in photography is justifiably celebrated and is in the news again through the publication of a collection of her most famous shots (‘Exposures’) and an exhibition at the Kings Place Gallery in London.
