In 1997 the Guardian newspaper asked John Peel to list his top 20 albums. Although no such list could ever be definitive, the albums he chose from a cross-section of eras and genres do include many of the DJ's long-time favourites. One notable absentee is The Fall, who were presumably excluded from consideration.
In 2005, Guardian writer Jon Dennis dug out the list and analysed what the records may have meant to Peel (read the article here). Although the albums are numbered in the article, it is not known if this indicates an order of preference. On other occasions, for example, Peel cited the Misty In Roots album as his favourite.
- Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band: Trout Mask Replica (1969)
- Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967)
- Ramones: The Ramones (1976)
- Pulp: Different Class (1995)
- Misty In Roots: Live At Counter Eurovision 79 (1979)
- Nirvana: Nevermind (1991)
- Smiths: The Smiths (1984)
- Neil Young: Arc Weld (1991)
- Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced? (1967)
- Wawali Bonané: Enzenzé
- Pink Floyd: Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (1967)
- Dreadzone: Second Light (1995)
- Four Brothers: Makorokoto (1988)
- Dave Clarke: Dave Archive One (1996)
- Big Black: Songs About Fucking (1987)
- PJ Harvey: Dry (1992)
- Richard & Linda Thompson: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (1974)
- Elastica: Elastica (1995)
- Hole: Live Through This (1994)
- Rolling Stones: The Rolling Stones (1964)