Broadcaster John Peel dead at 65
(CNN) -- Veteran British broadcaster John Peel has died while on holiday in Peru, the BBC and the British Embassy said Tuesday.
Peel, who discovered dozens of major bands during 40 years as a radio disc jockey, suffered a heart attack Monday night in the ancient Inca city of Cuzco, the BBC said.
Peel, 65, was on holiday with his wife, Sheila.
"John Peel was a broadcasting legend. I am deeply saddened by his death as are all who work at Radio 1," said BBC spokesman Andy Parfitt.
"John's influence has towered over the development of popular music for nearly four decades. He will be hugely missed."
Born John Ravenscroft near Liverpool in 1939, Peel said his life was changed when he was a teenager by hearing Elvis Presley singing "Heartbreak Hotel."
He moved to Dallas, Texas, where he landed a job as a DJ on WRR radio.
Returning to the UK, Peel became one of the country's first pirate DJs, who broadcast from ships outside British waters in the 1960s. He joined the BBC in 1967, becoming the longest-serving DJ on BBC Radio 1.
Peel was among the first DJs to play demo tapes by little-known bands --championing acts ranging from Jimi Hendrix to The Smiths, The Fall, Pulp and Northern Irish punks The Undertones.
He was a strong supporter of punk rock in the late 1970s, as well as reggae music. He also promoted hip-hop.
Since 1998, he hosted Radio 4's "Home Truths" program, a whimsical show about the travails of family life.
Peel is survived by his wife and four children.
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Associated Press contributed to this report.
