Gaz Birtles talks to Karen Pirie about the sad loss of John Peel: BBC Radio Leicester Legendary Radio 1 presenter John Peel has died of a massive heart attack. Leicester musician Gaz Birtles remembers recording a session for Peely's late night show. John Peel, has died suddenly - of a heart attack - while on holiday with his wife in Peru. He was 65. As a founding DJ on Radio One Peel championed new and diverse music for nearly 40 years. John Peel championed new music Leicestershire bands including The Sinatras, Deep Freeze Mice and The Swinging Laurels were recorded for Peel Sessions on Radio 1. Gaz Birtles, lead singer and sax player with The Laurels, said getting a Peel session brought great cudos to any band. Gaz, who now plays live with The Beautiful South, said: "I've still got the tape of it somewhere. He said of The Swinging Laurels that we were "..one of those names to drop at cocktail parties". "To say you've been on John Peel's show was a great status symbol. It's still the only hip show to be on. It gives you a lot of credibility." Radio One controller Andy Parfitt called Peel, who was largely responsible for introducing Britain to punk rock, reggae and hip-hop, among other genres, "a broadcasting legend". He said: "John's influence has towered over the development of popular music for nearly four decades and his contribution to modern music and music culture is immeasurable." "Hopeful bands all over the world sent their demo tapes to John knowing that he really cared. His commitment and passion for new music only grew stronger over the years." "To say you've been on John Peel's show was a great status symbol. It's still the only hip show to be on. It gives you a lot of credibility." Click here to read the next interview.