FORMER BBC Radio 1 DJ Andy Peebles, the final interviewer of John Lennon, has died aged 76, his family have confirmed.
Colleagues and friends have since paid emotional tributes to the “amazing broadcaster”, including Mike Read who said he was “devastated” about the passing of his friend.
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He wrote: “Devastated to hear the news about our chum Andy Peebles. He was about to join us at Heritage. We joined Radio One together. Knew his music & inside out.
“Raise your bat & enjoy a long rest in the pavilion. We lunched recently with DLT & Adrian Juste. Great innings.”
Tony Blackburn OBE also paid an emotional tribute to his “lovely” pal, who he called an “excellent DJ”.
He said: “So sorry to hear that fellow DJ from radio 1 when I was there Andy Peebles has passed away. He was a lovely man and a great broadcaster, very sad news. R.I.P. Andy.”
Meanwhile, Geoff Baker added: “Hi Guys, earlier today I learned of the passing of a very old friend and excellent DJ.
“His knowledge of sole music was second to none and his 4 years at Piccadilly and 13 years at Radio 1 made him known to the nations music fans!
“Sadly today Andy Peebles, totally unexpectedly passed away in his sleep.
“After speaking to him yesterday when he was totally fine, his wife Ann called me today with the tragic news, I couldn’t believe it!
“For those who knew him well, Andy was not only an encyclopaedia on music he also had an amazing knowledge of sport and took great pleasure in covering cricket on many occasions for the BBC.
“So all I can say is that you will be sadly missed by your many friends, and I would like to offer my condolences to his dear wife Ann.
RIP Andy Peebles. God bless you, your old pal Geoff Baker.”
Shaun Tilley, another fellow DJ, also reflected on his memories with the late broadcaster, saying he spoke to him just two days ago.
He said: “I’m utterly devastated that my great pal Andy Peebles has passed away so suddenly and unexpectedly!
“We only spoke 2 days ago and we were so excited about our plans for him to return to radio, hosting his beloved Soul Train with me producing him each week.
“I’ve just spoken with Ann his lovely wife but there were so few words of comfort to say. Of all my pals who’ve left us recently, this one hurts me so much personally.
“He was one of the giants of our industry, versatility personified, he could do anything on air and all at the highest level – an all time great!! Peebs, I’ll miss you beyond words, RIP My Dear Friend.”
Friend and radio executive John Simmons added: “So sad to hear the news about Andy Peebles passing.
“I’ll miss our long conversations about football and soul music, of which he was far more knowledgeable. There’s going to be a Quiet Storm in heaven tonight. RIP Andy.”
Andy began working as a club DJ in the 1960s before joining local station Piccadilly Radio in Manchester.
He then earned a job on BBC Radio 1 in the 1970s hosting daytime programmes and hosted the station’s shows such as My Top Twelve and Soul Train along with Top Of The Pops.
Andy left the BBC in the 1990s and went on to Global’s classic station Gold Radio.
One of his career highlights includes an interview with Beatles legend John Lennon and artist Yoko Ono, which aired just a couple of days before the singer was killed in New York.
He also had stints at Manchester’s Smooth FM and London’s 102.2 Jazz FM, and was inducted into the Radio Academy’s Hall of Fame in 2011.
