13 October 2005
Salvation Army to benefit from John Peel tribute album
 The Salvation Army is to receive a portion of the profits from a
special John Peel compilation double album - featuring 40 of his favourite
acts - as the first anniversary of the broadcaster's death
approaches.
John Peel a tribute is released on Monday 17 October and includes
artists ranging from Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie to The Smiths and Blur. The
release comes four days after BBC Radio 1's John Peel Day on 13 October, when
more than 300 gigs around the world were dedicated to the late DJ who suffered
a heart attack in Peru in October 2004.
The album is released on the same day as his memoirs which he had started
writing and were completed by his family.
A portion of profits will go to The Salvation Army and two other charities
that were close to John Peel's heart: East Anglia's Children's Hospices and the
Kariandusi School Trust in Kenya.
John Peel was the main presenter for Home Truths, which goes out
every Saturday morning on BBC Radio 4. A special tribute programme featuring a
Salvation Army family from Shipley will be aired from 9am until 10am on
Saturday 22 October. John Peels widow Sheila was born and grew up in Shipley
so she too has a connection with the area and also has fond memories of The
Salvation Army.
Sheila commented: 'John always had a soft spot for The Salvation Army
because when was doing his national service he was very lonely and not quite
knowing which direction he was going. The Salvation Army were there to give
people support and a bowl of soup or whatever, and they were enormously kind to
him and he never forgot that. I think the same happened when he was working in
America, and so he always, always felt fondly towards them and gave to their
funds and wouldnt have a word said against them.'
'We are touched that John Peel wanted The Salvation Army to benefit in some
way from what was an extraordinary life in music,' commented Major Bill
Cochrane of The Salvation Army. 'He believed in the potential of young
musicians and through his programmes gave them much encouragement and support,
so it's quite fitting that money raised from the album is going to an
organisation like ours that works to help hundreds of young people each year to
realise their potential.'
Tracks on the album will span Peel's whole career, starting with Lonnie
Donegan, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Pink Floyd and The Doors. The Ramones, The Clash,
Joy Division, New Order and The Undertones will represent the punk and
post-punk eras. Recent artists donating tracks include PJ Harvey, Pulp, Belle
& Sebastian, Super Furry Animals and Orbital.
Record company Warner Strategic Marketing said the project had been
'carefully vetted' by Peel's widow Sheila and their four children. 'A wonderful
tribute to John and his music. This is only the tip of the iceberg of the bands
and music he championed,' the family said in a statement.
 BBC FOUR will be broadcasting a night of programmes dedicated
to Peel on Wednesday 26 October, the first anniversary of his death, with
contributors including Nick Cave and Alan Hansen.
John Peel was regarded as one of the UK's most influential music
broadcasters, championing a huge array of new and alternative talent during his
40-year career.
- John Peel a tribute is released on Monday 17 October, available
from all good music stores.
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