Pete Townshend has delivered the first John Peel Lecture live on BBC 6Music.
Sadly passing away seven years ago, John Peel left a hole that might never be filled. The broadcaster operated in an era when outlets for new music were few and far between, using his position to support new and left field talent.
Continually pushing forward, the John Peel show defied time and trend to re-invent itself time and time again. BBC 6Music are set to hold an annual lecture in his honour, with The Who’s Pete Townshend selected as the first speaker.
Choosing to tackle the impact of new technology, Pete Townshend last night delivered a lecture titled: “Can John Peelism survive the internet?”
A hugely experienced musician, Pete Townshend made a number of controversial points. Tackling the area of illegal downloading, the guitarist exposed the contradictions facing many artists.
“It’s tricky to argue for the innate value of copyright from a position of good fortune, as I do. I’ve done all right” he admitted.
“A creative person would prefer their music to be stolen and enjoyed than ignored. This is the dilemma for every creative soul: he or she would prefer to starve and be heard than to eat well and be ignored.”
Later the guitarist joked that anyone stealing his music online “may as well come and steal my son’s bike while they’re at it”.
Continuing, Pete Townhend focussed his attention on Apple. By some distance the largest provider of legal music online, the guitarist argued that the company must become more involved with nurturing new talent.
“Is there really any good reason why, just because iTunes exists in the wild west internet land of Facebook and Twitter, it can’t provide some aspect of these services to the artists whose work it bleeds like a digital vampire, like a digital Northern Rock, for its enormous commission?” he asked.
Watch the lecture HERE.
