TV on the Radio

A few months ago, the great DJ John Peel passed away. His passing was noted by most, as was his contribution to the world of popular music. That contribution was huge. This weekend another DJ, Tommy Vance, has passed away. Nobody will ever claim for Tommy Vance the same influence on popular music as a whole that John Peel had, and he would, and now never will be, as feted as Peely. But for me, TV was the biggest influence.

For those of us who liked the terminally unfashionable heavy rock end of pop music, Tommy was the man. Every Friday, from the age of about 12, I used to tune in to the Friday Rock Show and get my weekly dose. I suspect it was actually a chance hearing of the Friday Rock Show that got me into rock in the first place, because I don't know how else it would have happened.

So Tommy Vance, thank you. You helped me be me.