RIP PY.

Peter Young, one of my all-time favourite broadcasters, died yesterday after a long illness. The DJ’s DJ with a dry sense of humour and a phenomenal knowledge of music, PY presented the Capital Countdown on Saturday mornings, counting down London’s best-selling singles. It was usually quite different from the UK Top 40. Reflecting London’s musical tastes, the Capital Countdown was more diverse and featured a lot more soul music. Soul was very much PY’s speciality and his Soul Cellar shows were essential listening. He introduced me to countless old gems, including this one, and it saddens me to think that he won’t be introducing me to any more. But do you know what saddens me most? That a man like Peter Young who adored the medium of radio, chose all his own music and presented it with passion, warmth and expertise would never get a job on British radio today.