Iggy Pop To deliver The John Peel Lecture

BBC Music and The Radio Academy have announced that music icon and BBC 6 Music's presenter Iggy Pop will be delivering the fourth annual John Peel Lecture at Radio Festival 2014 in Salford on Monday 13 October.

Iggy, who hosts a Sunday afternoon show on 6 Music, will deliver a speech on the subject of 'Free Music in a Capitalist Society'. It will be broadcast live on 6 Music, and filmed for BBC Four to be broadcast on Sunday 19 October at 8pm.

Iggy Pop said: "I get the feeling that John was the kind of guy who would have done his job for nothing, as long as he felt great about it. So we have that in common. Examining his life, I was interested to learn that he found his voice in large part through his wanderings in America. Sometimes it takes strange circumstances to provide a mirror in which to find yourself. Anyway, he's done a lot to give others a voice, and that's the most important gift you can give. Here was a person with strong opinions and enthusiasms who wasn't defined by any system, because of that his show became an exciting location, kind of like a shop that's a good hang. So it was a social as well as a musical phenomenon.”

The annual John Peel Lecture invites a notable figure from the music industry to shape a debate and create insight around music and music-related media. Taking its inspiration from one of the greatest radio broadcasters of all time, and a figure who perpetually challenged the status quo, the John Peel Lecture has been a part of the Radio Festival since 2011. The John Peel Lecture 2014 also marks 10 years since Peel’s passing.

Bob Shennan, Director BBC Music and Controller of Radio 2, 6 Music and Asian Network, said: “BBC Music is proud that Iggy Pop, an iconic and hugely influential figure in music, will deliver the John Peel Lecture at the Radio Festival 2014. Iggy’s weekly show on 6 Music is always a fascinating trip through his eclectic musical mind, so I know Iggy will give a topical and thought-provoking speech which 6 Music listeners and BBC Four viewers will enjoy.”

Chris Burns, Chair of Radio Festival 2014, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Iggy Pop as the speaker at this year’s John Peel Lecture. Iggy Pop has influenced generations with his music and is a fantastic choice to host this lecture. He will bring fascinating insight to the Radio Festival and we’re thrilled that he can be a part of it.”

‘Godfather of punk’, Iggy Pop, is considered by many to be one of the pioneers of punk rock music and his musical legacy has inspired and energised rock and roll’s alternative spirit since the late Sixties. And John Peel was in fact the first DJ to play Iggy Pop as part of The Stooges on UK Radio - introducing listeners to their track, Little Doll from their eponymous debut album, on his show in August 1969. Fun House was released in 1970, followed by the band’s third album, Raw Power, which has been cited as one of the most influential records of all time.

Iggy has also released music as a solo artist and collaborated with other musicians, including David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Death In Vegas and Peaches. His incredible back catalogue of classic tracks includes Lust for Life, The Passenger, I Wanna Be Your Dog, Search and Destroy, Real Wild Child and many more. Although hugely influential to many of the major acts that came after, Iggy’s own wide-ranging influences include blues, jazz, french chanson, art rock, roots, reggae, ethnic and avant-garde.

He joined BBC Radio 6 Music as a presenter in March 2014, hosting a weekly programme on Sundays from 4-6pm - the slot which was previously hosted by Jarvis Cocker who is taking a year out from his show. Each week he takes a different theme, playing tracks that he loves which has included music from Sinatra, the Beach Boys and The Temptations and new artists such as FKA Twigs and Curtis Harding.

Iggy Pop joins a list of high profile speakers who have delivered the John Peel Lecture. These are The Who’s Pete Townshend in 2011, who explored the implications of digital music media in an age of free downloads and a disposable attitude to music; Billy Bragg in 2012, whose speech explored how music and radio need mavericks to keep moving forward; and in October 2013, Charlotte Church delivered an insightful speech on the theme of women and their representation in the music industry.