John Peel ‘online museum’ to be launched

Local lad turned legend, John Peel’s never going to be forgotten. He always strived to give a voice to the world’s greatest artists – regardless of the type of music they made – and this week it’s been announced that a very special Peel project’s going to be launched. It sounds brilliant.

The BBC and Arts Council are joining forces to archive John’s huge record collection – scanning in artwork and Peel’s personal annotations and generally sorting it out into an explorable, interactive 3D experience. There’ll be links to applicable YouTube videos, BBC sessions, listener stories, and brand new interviews with the artists themselves.

The project’s being helmed by the volunteer-run John Peel Centre for Creative Arts, who will scan and capture 100 records a week starting in May, gradually turning it into a vital archive of modern – both mainstream and outsider – music.

The ‘museum’ (although that ancient dusty term does this thrilling project a bit of a disservice) is set to be available online, through smartphones, and the red button on your TV. We can’t wait.