Paul Matthew Gambaccini (born April 2, 1949) is an American-British radio and television presenter and author in the United Kingdom. He has dual United States and British nationality, having become a British citizen in 2005. Known as "The Great Gambo" and "The Professor of Pop", Gambaccini was a BBC Radio One presenter for 16 years, including 11 years at the helm of a Billboard Top 30 countdown show. A regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's long-running arts programme Kaleidoscope, Gambaccini was a long-time TV morning show correspondent for British television, and makes regular appearances on other British TV magazine shows. He was the host of the 12-part Classic FM series Paul Gambaccini's Hall of Heroes, and chairs the Radio 4 music quiz Counterpoint. Inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame in 2005, Gambaccini is the author of more than 15 books.
Links To Peel[]
Paul Gambaccini made his name writing for Rolling Stone when it was considered "hip" and influential in the UK as well as the US, and was read by some listeners to Peel's shows as well as the DJ himself. Gambaccini came to London to work as the magazine's British correspondent, and his UK radio career was a result of this move. After interviewing Elton John for Rolling Stone, he was contacted by producer John Walters and began working as a music reporter on John Peel's Saturday show, Rockspeak, in 1973. In the late 70's and early 80's he sat in for Peel during the latter's absences. Gambaccini hosted Round Table for three months in 1980, during which time Peel made one of his guest appearances. Gambaccini appeared as guest on Channel 4's Music Of The Millennium in 1998, presented by Peel and Jo Whiley. After Peel's death, Gambaccini paid tribute to him on Channel Four's 2005 John Peel's Record Box programme.
Shows[]
Gambaccini sat in for Peel on the following occasions:
- 1978
- 04 September 1978 (Paul Gambaccini)
- 05 September 1978 (Paul Gambaccini)
- 06 September 1978 (Paul Gambaccini)
- 07 September 1978 (Paul Gambaccini)
- 08 September 1978 (Paul Gambaccini)
- 1979
- 01 February 1979 (Paul Gambaccini) (due to flooding at Peel Acres)
- 1980