Celebrations

Introduction

 * This page attempts to bring together the various Peel shows that were intended to celebrate special dates in the calendar (mainly for Christmas, but also including Burns Night). The list is limited to programmes where the main preponderance of the music played is themed around that event, or if a significant musical event is contained within the show, with a brief summary of the content and links to the respective pages.
 * JP began to play Christmas records in his normal prgramming sometimes as early as November, but also on occasion displayed a begrudging attitude to Christmas in particular that bordered on active dislike. Nonetheless, the festive programmes are among the most cherished and fondly remembered of his output, despite the fact that he studiously avoided discussion of religion and appears to have been non-denominational (although his public funeral was held at Bury St. Edmunds Cathedral).

Chronological List Of Celebratory Shows

 * 26 December 1970: 'The Carol Concert listed in The Peel Sessions'', recorded in Maida Vale, and featuring traditional carols sung by Marc Bolan, June Child, Ivor Cutler, Sonja Kristina (and friend), Rod Stewart, Mike Ratledge, Ron Wood, Ronnie Lane, Kenny Jones, Ian McLagan, Peel & Pig, all backed by David Bedford on piano. Rod Stewart sang 'Away In A Manger' solo. This had been pre-recorded on 1970-12-08, and was repeated on 22 December 1971.


 * 25 December 1973: the debut broadcast of an Elton John session (his second) which began with a medley of Christmas songs played on a pub piano. Recorded on 1973-12-18 (Peel refers to it in his recently available Top Gear of 18 December 1973.)


 * 26 December 1983: 'The Rhythm Pals' Boxing Day Bash', hosted by JP and Kid Jensen, 7.30 p.m.-midnight.


 * 31 December 1985: Janice Long and John Peel's New Year's Eve Party, 7.30 p.m.-1 a.m.


 * 24 December 1992: 'John Peel's Other Christmas Records. A live programme, 11 p.m.-1 a.m., featuring John's choice of festive music, or as he puts it, 'the reocrds that Santa Claus forgot'.