Attempts to syndicate radio programmes in USA, initial enthusiasm of Yank entrepreneurs evaporates when they actually get to hear programmes. Present attempt which has at least got as far as programmes being circulated under sponsorship of Nana company. Absurdly over-optimistic forecasts of American publicity machine and general opportunity to snigger. - John Peel in a letter to literary agent, Cat Ledger, circa 1992 in which he set out the structure of a proposed autobiography. (Republished in Margrave of the Marshes p.482, Corgi, London, 2005.)
1993 offered Peel the chance for his first broadcasts on American radio since he returned to the United Kingdom in 1967. Under the frankly dreadful title, Peel Out in the States, he compiled 24 half-hour programmes which were distributed to 200 college and commercial radio stations throughout America. The playlists for the shows were mainly made up of British, European and African artists. American artists were restricted to one track per programme in a feature which Peel called the Yank Sizzler. Typically, the choices in the first and third programme were not Nirvana/Pearl Jam wannabes, but rather the hardcore stylings of Chicago band, Shorty.
For me, Samtastic is a borderline inclusion here, but the mix of hardcore vocals, catwail guitar riffs and jazz-funk basslines stays the right side of tolerable, and occasionally veers into the enjoyable. Peel loved it though, describing it as something in the nature of a treat.
Meanwhile, prospective advertisers/sponsors who could have got behind Peel Out in the States and given it nationwide reach, smiled politely, checked their watches and left. It would take the arrival of the Internet and Radio 1’s early efforts at the Sounds/iPlayer model for Americans to be able hear Peel without the permission of sponsors.
Video courtesy of HydrogenMist
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