Peel's Train Will Always Stop on Merseyside

• 20th Oct 2008

Legendary DJ and music icon John Peel is being honoured with a train bearing his name

Merseytravel, which coordinates passenger transport in his home region Merseyside, will name the train as a lasting tribute to John’s memory.

Family and friends of John’s, who once admitted his second favourite song of all time was Amsterdam’s “Does this train stop on Merseyside?”, will come together to celebrate his life.

Sheila Ravenscroft, John’s wife, will join Merseytravel to officially launch the “John Peel” train and travel on its first journey into the city of Liverpool.

The train will leave Merseytravel’s Liverpool South Parkway interchange at around 3pm on Thursday 23rd October after a short dedication ceremony.

Ian Prowse, from Liverpool band Amsterdam, will perform the song “Does This Train Stop on Merseyside?” at the event in front of guests.

Speaking about the song as part of the Radio One tribute evening, John’s wife Sheila said: “John just loved the song. He always became emotional when he played it. He wasn’t capable of playing it without crying. If he played it on the radio he’d have to put something on straight afterwards because he wouldn’t be able to speak. When he played it at home, he’d always need a cuddle afterwards.>

“We are just really delighted that John is being honoured with this train. He would have loved it!”

Copies of a new book, a collection of John’s writings edited by his wife Sheila called “The Olivetti Chronicles”, will be given out to passengers on the train during the journey.

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel said: “We are very proud of the man John was and of his connection with Merseyside. Naming this train in his honour is our tribute to a true broadcasting legend.”

Councillor Chris Blakeley, Chair of Merseytravel’s Rail Services Committee said: “John was one of our own and we are delighted to be able to remember him this way.”

John Peel OBE

John Peel was born John Robert Parker Ravenscroft in Heswall, Wirral in Merseyside on 30th August 1939.

He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until 2004. The train naming ceremony will take place two days before the anniversary of John’s death on October 25th 2004, aged 65.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam take to the road in November for their first headline tour in over two years.

2008 has been a good year for the Liverpool six piece. The band duetted with old friend and collaborator, Elvis Costello, covering The Searchers hit ‘Don’t Throw Your Love Away,’ as part of the EMI released Liverpool Number 1's album and performed the song to a packed out 10,000 strong crowd, at the new Liverpool Echo Arena.

Incidentally, Amsterdam frontman and avid Tranmere Rovers fan, Ian Prowse, was taken out to the now legendary 2005 European Champions League final in Istanbul by Liverpool Football club to sing the song to the fans before the game!

Friday 14 Nov 08 Gateshead Sage 0191 443 4661 £12.50

Tuesday 18 Nov 08 Wolverhampton Little Civic 0870 320 7000 £6 advance

Thursday 20 Nov 08 London Borderline 020 7534 6970 £10 advance

Friday 28 Nov 08 Stratford Cox’s Yard 0870 060 0100 £5 advance

Wednesday 3 Dec 08 Glasgow King Tuts 0141 221 5279 £6

Thursday 4 Dec 08 York Duchess 0870 060 0100 £8 advance

Saturday 6 Dec 08 Liverpool Academy 1 0151 256 5555 £10

www.amsterdam-music.com
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