John Johnston

Festive 50s

No. of episodes

3

Latest episode

2026-03-24

Where can you listen?

A fan podcast were we review John Peel's festive fifties. If you don't know what that is, let me brighten your world. John Peel was one of the best DJs that ever worked at Radio 1 and without whom there would never have been a punk movement, no new wave, no indie bands making an impact on the general public.

His show, from 10pm to midnight weekdays on BBC radio1 attracted an audience of like minded music fans, we were all listening in to discover a new band, or hear the latest release from our favourite ones. John would get in unheard bands to record sessions, bands would send in their demo tapes in the hope of being played, Bands like Nirvana, The Smiths, The Fall, Roxy Music, The White Stripes all owe a great debt to his eclectic tastes.

From 1976 he invited fans to send in their top 3 songs. From 1982 he changed it to be from the current year only. These votes were collated into a top 50 and were broadcast at the end of the year over a few shows.

So, we decided it's time to revisit those charts with an eye on the music that influenced our music tastes ever since.