The Radio Academy and BBC 6 Music are delighted to announce that this year’s Radio Festival will see the launch of The John Peel Lecture, a keynote speech given by a leading figure in music and/or broadcasting, at this year’s Radio Festival in October. Taking its inspiration from one of the greatest radio broadcasters of all time, The John Peel Lecture aims to discuss and create insight into music and music-related media from the past, present or future.

The inaugural John Peel Lecture will be given by Pete Townshend, acknowledged around the world as the creative force, guitarist and chief songwriter of The Who – one of the biggest bands to come out of Britain ever, at the Radio Festival on Monday 31st October 2011 in the Lowry Theatre, Salford.

Pete will examine the current state of music media and ask the question: Can John Peelism survive the Internet? In an age of free downloads and a disposable attitude to music, can creative people earn a living and, without radio, how can the ‘unpolished’ music that John Peel championed find an audience?

Pete Townshend says: “I am honoured to be invited to deliver BBC 6 Music’s John Peel Lecture. Through John’s shows I first heard artists like The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Undertones and The Proclaimers before they had record contracts. John didn’t just listen to music, he played it on air and let his audience decide. He was a listener first and an activist second, and I am happy to have a chance to honour him and examine how his legacy might extend into the future.”

John Myers, Chief Executive of The Radio Academy, comments:
“We are absolutely thrilled that one of the icons of British rock music has agreed to deliver this important lecture. The radio industry in the UK relies on high quality music. John Peel was at the forefront of introducing new talent to the listening public and Pete Townshend and The Who were among the first artists John promoted at the start of his formidable and influential radio career.”

To book tickets for the Radio Festival, please click here.

Members of the public not attending the Radio Festival can apply for tickets to The John Peel Lecture through the BBC 6 Music website.

To read the full press release click here.