BBC 1's DJ John Dies at 65

John Peel, a legend and favorite DJ on British Broadcasting, died Monday at 65 of a heart attack.

Peel was known for ditching standard play lists and simply spinning the music he liked. A creative style that appealed to his listeners since he first helped pioneer the BBC's rock station, Radio 1 in 1967.

Peel, whose music tastes varied from The Fall, The Wedding Present, Pulp, New Order, The Cure and The Damned helped spawn widespread interest in music and bands that weren't always shoe-ins for radio play lists.

According to The Washington Post, Peel was also know for his "Peel Sessions" which meant a band could have "four or five songs recorded in a BBC studio at Peel's invitation" an event that was "as much a status symbol for one of these groups as it was an act of largesse for struggling U.S. bands touring Europe, since the Beeb paid artists a fairly generous sum to be featured."

"John Peel was a broadcasting legend. I am deeply saddened by his death as are all who work at Radio 1," said Radio 1 Controller Andy Parfitt on the BBC 1 official website.

Parfitt also stated that "hopeful bands" from around the world sent Peel this mix tapes with the dream of catching his attention and making it on the show.

"He had a remarkable rapport with all his listeners. Everyone at BBC Radio is devastated by the news. John is simply irreplaceable. Our hearts go out to Sheila and his children," said BBC Director of Radio & Music Jenny Abramsky.