Christmas

Background

 * JP began to play Christmas records in his normal programming 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). A recently shared clip of John's appearance on the Simon Mayo slot The Big Holy One seems to confirm this, as JP describes himself as 'a heathen fundamentalist'.
 * Information obtained in great part from The Peel Sessions (Garner, K., BBC Books, 2007).

Chronological List Of Festive Shows

 * 26 December 1970: Carol Concert, listed in The Peel Sessions as a session and recorded in Maida Vale. It featured 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 event 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), and repeated on 25 March 1976 ('Daniel/Your Song' parodies only) and 25 December 1985.


 * 25 December 1987: 'Only For Christmas'. In what appears to be a pre-recorded programme, John plays festive tunes from records. Broadcast started at 5.30 p.m., and was trailed on the 22 December 1987 show. Not listed in The Peel Sessions.


 * 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 records that Santa Claus forgot'. Not listed in The Peel Sessions.


 * 17 December 1994: Christmas sessions by the Fall (including 'Jingle Bell Rock' and 'Hark The Herald Angels Sing'), recorded 1994-11-20, and Elastica (including 'I Wanna Be King Of Orient Aah' and 'Father Christmas'), recorded 1994-12-06.


 * 08 December 1999: Christmas Carols live from Maida Vale 3, featuring Gene, Hefner, High Fidelity, Broken Dog and Marine Research, with the show choir and the Peel family singing traditional Christmas carols, accompanied by Martin Rossiter and Yorisa Phale on the piano. Currently only the second half of the show is available.


 * 21 December 2000: Christmas Special live from Peel Acres, with live music from Cinerama, Murry The Hump, Wisdom Of Harry, and Herman Dune, plus the handbell ringers of Bucksall and singalong carols.


 * 20 December 2001: Christmas special live from Peel Acres, with Camera Obscura, Lianne Hall and Melys singing festive songs, plus carols, Gorky's Group Choir and bellringers.


 * 18 December 2002: Belle And Sebastian's Christmas Carol Concert, with Peel Show Choir, live from Maida Vale 4.


 * 25 December 2002 (Radio Mafia): Pre-recorded show for Finland's Radio Mafia, featuring festive tunes largely cannibalised from his UK playlist.


 * 23 December 2003: ballboy and Laura Cantrell live from Peel Acres, plus carols sung live by the Peel family choir.