Radio Disc Jockey. Born John Robert Parker Ravenscroft. He was educated at a public school in Shrewsbury, England. On completing his national service he went to the United States, where he worked for an insurance company in Dallas, Texas. He then worked for several American radio stations in the 1960's, before returning to England in 1967. He soon joined Radio London, playing a diverse mixture of musical styles on his show "The Perfumed Garden". Later the same year, he became part of the original line up of disc jockeys on the newly created station Radio One. He used his show to promote emerging acts including Jimi Hendrix, The Smiths and Pulp. He also helped introduce British audiences to punk, drum-n- bass and hip-hop. His love of cutting edge music often led to conflict with his bosses, and he described the station's daytime output as "incredibly predictable porridge". In 1975 he began his own daily late-night show, which lasted for almost thirty years. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire, and voted top disc jockey by Melody Maker magazine eleven times. In later years he also presented the popular Radio Four show "Home Truths", which dealt with everyday family life. The show won three Sony awards in its first year. He suffered a fatal heart attack whilst on a working holiday in Peru.
Radio Disc Jockey. Born John Robert Parker Ravenscroft. He was educated at a public school in Shrewsbury, England. On completing his national service he went to the United States, where he worked for an insurance company in Dallas, Texas. He then worked for several American radio stations in the 1960's, before returning to England in 1967. He soon joined Radio London, playing a diverse mixture of musical styles on his show "The Perfumed Garden". Later the same year, he became part of the original line up of disc jockeys on the newly created station Radio One. He used his show to promote emerging acts including Jimi Hendrix, The Smiths and Pulp. He also helped introduce British audiences to punk, drum-n- bass and hip-hop. His love of cutting edge music often led to conflict with his bosses, and he described the station's daytime output as "incredibly predictable porridge". In 1975 he began his own daily late-night show, which lasted for almost thirty years. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire, and voted top disc jockey by Melody Maker magazine eleven times. In later years he also presented the popular Radio Four show "Home Truths", which dealt with everyday family life. The show won three Sony awards in its first year. He suffered a fatal heart attack whilst on a working holiday in Peru.
Bio by: js
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