BBC film - John Peel and his links to Rochdale

Date published: 16/01/2007

BBC1, 7.30pm, Friday 19 January sees the airing of a film examining John Peel’s links with Rochdale – Mr Peel worked in Rochdale in 1959.

In 1970 he bought recording equipment for the band Tractor which led members of the band and their crew to set up recording studios in Rochdale and Heywood, and he also bought Tractor the PA system they used at Deeply Vale festivals, and played everything recorded at Cargo Studios, Rochdale on his radio show.

The footage explores Peel’s links to Rochdale and how his money helped create a music industry in the town, where from the late 70’s onwards, The Fall,  Joy Division, Teardrop Explodes, Orchestral Manouvres, Gang of Four,  The Chameleons, Inspiral Carpets, Durutti Column,  Dead or Alive and many more came to record their singles and album tracks.

Taking part in the film is John Peel’s wife Sheila Ravenscroft,  and from tractor:  Guitarist  Jim Milne, drummer Steve Clayton and manager Chris Hewitt  (former  co-owner of the Kenion Street recording studio in Rochdale with Peter Hook of New Order),

Previously unseen archive film as well as a recent visit to a couple of the band’s old recording haunts can be seen in this BBC  Inside Out production.