Change the record (From Swindon Advertiser)

Change the record

3:58pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in News

A BOX of records from a much-loved radio show led to an acclaimed show which comes to Swindon next week.

John Peel’s Shed is the work of John Osborne, who in 2002 won a competition on the late Peel’s show.

The prize was a box of records which he took eight years to work his way through, and in the process he was inspired to create what he describes as “an ode to radio, those records and anybody who’s ever sought solace in wireless”.

The live show sold its entire Edinburgh Festival run out in August of last year, and features a selection of the records.

Many of these are very rare recordings by obscure and now defunct bands, and this is a unique opportunity for any Peel fans.

A 30-minute version of the show was recorded by the BBC and broadcast late last year.

John Osborne is also the author of Radio Head: Up And Down The Dial Of British Radio.

A Radio 4 book of the week, it tells the story of what happened when John decided to listen to a different radio station every day, all day, for a month.

The strange journey took him from data entry at Anglia Windows, via interviewing radio stars such as Nicholas Parsons and Mark Radcliffe, to presenting his own local radio show.

John Peel’s Shed comes to the Arts Centre in Devizes Road on Valentine’s night, Tuesday, February 14, at 8pm.

Tickets cost £12, with concessions and deals starting at £7.50, and can be booked at www.wegottickets.com/swindonartscentre or by calling 01793 614837.