John Peel’s 1999 Millenium Chart. Can You Beat it?

John Peel (1939–2004) was one of the most influential and beloved radio DJs in the history of British broadcasting. Born John Robert Parker Ravenscroft in Heswall, Cheshire, Peel began his career in radio in the United States during the early 1960s, where he worked for a Texas station and developed his distinctive on-air style. Upon returning to the UK, he joined the pirate radio station Radio London, where he adopted the name “John Peel” and began championing emerging artists and genres that were often overlooked by mainstream media. In 1967, he became a founding presenter of BBC Radio 1, where he would remain for nearly four decades, becoming a cultural institution and a trusted guide for generations of music lovers.

Peel’s radio shows were renowned for their eclecticism and unpredictability, spanning genres from punk and reggae to indie, electronic, and beyond. He was instrumental in breaking countless artists, including David Bowie, The Undertones, Joy Division, The Smiths, Pulp, and The White Stripes, among many others. His annual Festive 50 countdown, based on listener votes, became a much-anticipated event that showcased the year’s most innovative and underground music. Peel’s genuine passion for music, combined with his warm, unpretentious demeanour, earned him a loyal following and made him a trusted tastemaker for both listeners and artists alike.

Beyond his radio work, Peel was a tireless advocate for new music, often attending live shows and supporting unsigned bands through his Peel Sessions, which provided artists with the opportunity to record live performances at the BBC. His legacy extends far beyond his lifetime, as he continues to be celebrated for his role in shaping the musical landscape of the UK and beyond. John Peel’s influence remains unparalleled, and his dedication to discovering and sharing music has left an indelible mark on the world of broadcasting and beyond.

The following is as voted for by the listeners to The John Peel Show in 1999 reflecting on their greatest tracks. It is full to the brim of the corkers up until that time.

Check it out and then let us know yours either by sending them in to be published or by listing in the comments below.

1. Joy Division – “Atmosphere”
   (A haunting and atmospheric post-punk masterpiece.)
2. The Undertones – “Teenage Kicks”
   (Peel’s all-time favorite song, which he called “perfect.”)
3. Joy Division – “Love Will Tear Us Apart”
   (An iconic post-punk anthem.)
4. Sex Pistols – “Anarchy in the UK”
   (The punk rock manifesto.)
5. The Clash – “White Man in Hammersmith Palais”
   (A reggae-infused punk classic.)
6. New Order – “Blue Monday”
   (A groundbreaking electronic dance track.)
7. The Smiths – “How Soon Is Now?”
   (A defining indie rock anthem.)
8. Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
   (The grunge anthem that defined the ’90s.)
9. The Smiths – “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out”
   (A melancholic indie classic.)
10. This Mortal Coil – “Song to the Siren”
    (A dreamy, ethereal cover of Tim Buckley’s song.)
11. Robert Wyatt – “Shipbuilding”
    (A poignant anti-war ballad.)
12. Pulp – “Common People”
    (A Britpop anthem with sharp social commentary.)
13. Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band – “Big Eyed Beans from Venus”
    (A surreal and experimental track.)
14. Dead Kennedys – “Holiday in Cambodia”
    (A scathing punk critique of privilege.)
15. Joy Division – “New Dawn Fades”
    (A brooding and powerful track from Unknown Pleasures.)
16. My Bloody Valentine – “Soon”
    (A shoegaze classic.)
17. New Order – “Ceremony”
    (A Joy Division-era track reworked by New Order.)
18. The Only Ones – “Another Girl, Another Planet”
    (A power-pop gem.)
19. New Order – “Temptation”
    (A synth-pop classic.)
20. Joy Division – “She’s Lost Control”
    (A dark and rhythmic post-punk track.)
21. The Wedding Present – “Brassneck”
    (A fast-paced indie rock favorite.)
22. The Smiths – “This Charming Man”
    (A jangly indie classic.)
23. Sugarcubes – “Birthday”
    (Björk’s early work with this Icelandic band.)
24. The Fall – “How I Wrote ‘Elastic Man'”
    (A chaotic and brilliant Fall track.)
25. The Wedding Present – “My Favourite Dress”
    (A melodic indie rock track.)
26. The Delgados – “Pull the Wires from the Wall”
    (A Scottish indie gem.)
27. My Bloody Valentine – “Feed Me with Your Kiss”
    (A noisy shoegaze track.)
28. Joy Division – “Transmission”
    (A post-punk anthem.)
29. Sex Pistols – “Pretty Vacant”
    (A punk rock classic.)
30. Pixies – “Debaser”
    (A defining alternative rock track.)
31. New Order – “True Faith”
    (A synth-pop classic.)
32. The Clash – “Complete Control”
    (A punk rock anthem.)
33. The Fall – “Totally Wired”
    (A high-energy Fall favorite.)
34. The Jam – “Going Underground”
    (A mod revival classic.)
35. Stereolab – “French Disco”
    (A retro-futuristic indie track.)
36. Jimi Hendrix – “All Along the Watchtower”
    (A legendary rock cover of Bob Dylan’s song.)
37. The Fall – “The Classical”
    (A chaotic and brilliant Fall track.)
38. The Damned – “New Rose”
    (The first UK punk single.)
39. Tim Buckley – “Song to the Siren”
    (A haunting and beautiful folk track.)
40. The Beach Boys – “God Only Knows”
    (A lush and timeless pop classic.)
41. The Velvet Underground – “Heroin”
    (A raw and experimental rock track.)
42. Nick Drake – “Northern Sky”
    (A gentle and melancholic folk song.)
43. Bob Dylan – “Visions of Johanna”
    (A poetic and introspective track.)
44. The Beatles – “I Am the Walrus”
    (A psychedelic masterpiece.)
45. The Beach Boys – “Good Vibrations”
    (A groundbreaking pop production.)
46. The Sundays – “Can’t Be Sure”
    (A jangly indie pop track.)
47. Culture – “Lion Rock”
    (A reggae classic.)
48. PJ Harvey – “Sheela-Na-Gig”
    (A raw and provocative indie rock track.)
49. Grandaddy – “Crystal Lake”
    (A dreamy indie rock track.)
50. Pavement – “Here”
    (A lo-fi indie rock gem.)

Some brief observations:

• Joy Division and The Fall are heavily featured, reflecting Peel’s deep admiration for these bands.
• The chart spans multiple genres, including post-punk, indie, punk, electronic, folk, and reggae.
• Peel’s love for underappreciated and experimental music is evident, with tracks like Captain Beefheart’s “Big Eyed Beans from Venus” and Stereolab’s “French Disco.”
• Classic tracks like The Undertones’ “Teenage Kicks” and The Smiths’ “How Soon Is Now?” highlight Peel’s enduring influence on indie and alternative music.

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