A Letter from John Peel

16 March 1990, Friday, Glasgow

In the early afternoon a mania assails me and I have to go to the music library and get some more records out. I’ve taken out Callas in Rigoletto, [and] Wozzeck, the Well-Tempered Clavier played by Landowska (who looks like a batty old woman and takes some of it at a real gallop), The St Matthew Passion, I’ve also [previously] taken out The Rite of Spring and Das Rheingold. But as it costs me nothing and is an afternoon walk I don’t see why I should persist in viewing it as a vice. I may as well continue my musical self-education¹.

1. In the evening, although he doesn’t mention it, young-Toby continues his musical self-education by going to Glasgow College to see the John Peel Roadshow, a DJ set supporting the bands Teenage Fanclub and Dawson.

Teenage Fanclub have yet to release their first single, ‘Everything Flows’ or their first album, A Catholic Education. That will happen in June. They stand in a line during their set, making a melodious din.

Dawson, a punkier band, who jump around a bit, recorded a session for Peel in January, and have already put out a cassette (These Cookies are Hot) and an e.p. (Romping Egos).

I’m not sure why young-Toby doesn’t mention this. I remember the night very well. I went up to the DJ booth, a bit like where you’d order a takeaway through a hole in the wall.

Shouting over the music, I said hello and then informed John Peel that he’d been at school (Shrewsbury) with my dad. Dad was in a year further down the school, but he remembered John Ravenscroft. John Peel did not remember my dad.

Mainly, I said thanks to John Peel for replying to an early teenage letter of mine.

Younger-young-Toby was fascinated by Syd Barrett. As Peel returned the letter, with his replies written on it, I know what impatient y-T and forbearing Peel wrote.

Dear John,

I am very interested in the music and in the history of the Pink Floyd and particularly their early years with Syd Barrett as their main songwriter and frontperson. On reading the only book I know about the Pink Floyd called “Pink Floyd: A Visual Documentary” I found out that they had done some sessions for you in the years ’66-’68. I wondered if it was possible to air one of these sessions? I know some of them are available as bootlegs but I have never heard them or seen them.

I’ve written out the main questions on the back so you can skip through quickly. Please reply quickly.

Thank you,

Toby Litt

John Peel very kindly and promptly replied —

Dear Toby,

to my everlasting regret the tapes of these sessions are lost (although I suspect Nick Mason has copies). They did one number “Loboun [Labours?] of Hercules,” which has never surfaced on vinyl (well, legal vinyl anyway).

1. Did you ever meet Syd Barrett? Do you know any anecdotes about him?

   A few times, but under working conditions really.

2. Did you do any gigs with the Floyd?

   Quite a few at one time, mostly at Mothers in Erdington, Birmingham.

3. Is it possible to re-play the sessions?

   See over.

4. There was a magazine called ‘Terrapin’ and an appreciation society. Is it possible to get a copy of this magazine from a specialist shop? Is this appreciation society still going? Can you give me an address?

   Don’t know, I’m afraid.

5. Is there anyone else you could give me the address of who knows more about this subject?

   Thank you very much.

   Will make enquiries.

   OK?

   John

Yes, OK.