Peter Young
PY
1951 – 2018

Tributes Received by Radio London

'Fab' Alan Field

I still can't believe poor old PY has gone. I have a few memories of my own, especially the time you and Chris invited us to help celebrate your 'vinyl' wedding anniversary - thirty three and a third years. It was one December, sometime between Christmas and New Year, I think. I drove PY up to your place from Ealing, and drove us back again afterwards, a day or so later, and Peter was great company.

Living only three miles away, I sometimes bumped into him doing ordinary things, like once going up to London on the tube, and another time we found ourselves both sat in line at Ealing Hospital waiting to have our blood tests done. OK, it's not rock 'n' roll, but isn't it funny how it's the little things you remember. And off the radio he was an ordinary, down to earth, witty - very witty - bloke.

Definitely one of a kind, he'll be sorely missed.

Alan Hardy

Like all the great radio DJs, Peter was unique. His passion for the music he played, sense of humour, occasional irreverence and joy to be on-air made him stand out from the rest. PY's in-depth knowledge of the music he loved was second to none and that's what made him a 'must listen'.  The time he took each week in personally compiling his shows was unbelievable. Each track was hand-picked and it showed, none more so than when he produced a tribute to one of the great artistes like Marvin Gaye and Ray Charles. Peter's musical knowledge and depth of selection made these shows peerless. He said that being on the radio playing his music wasn't a job, it was something he did because he loved it. I feel honoured and privileged to have been his friend for many years.  We had fun talking about music, suggesting tracks to listen to, talking about radio and also remembering the classic comedy shows like Hancock, Round The Horne, The Goons and Not Only But Also - Peter could always come out with famous lines word for word! I'm sure he'll be continuing with the Soul Cellar somewhere in Radio Heaven along with all the other legends he admired.
It was a joy and we'll miss you Peter.  From 'Big Al' (as he used to call me).    

I have just read your tribute to PY.  It sums up nicely what a great radio personality he was, and a real genuine person when off the air, and obviously a good friend of yours.

On the couple of occasions I met him I found him to be a very modest individual, so unlike many other broadcasters I have come across who have an overblown sense of their own self importance.   I have two particular memories of him. When I was helping out on the Ocean Defender, he was a visitor and declined an offer to go on the air. I don't know whether this was because he did not consider himself 'good enough' to broadcast on Big L '97, or maybe he would have been in breach of his contact with Jazz FM had he appeared on another London station. When he joined us for a summer visit to the Tatty Castle when we were all sitting out on deck, I recall bringing along a Capital Radio publicity shot with me so I would be able to identify him. He was most amused to see the picture of a much younger PY from 20 or more years earlier!

As you say, he's now transferred his talents to the Great Big (L) Radio Station in the Sky.   There must now be some great Soul music to be heard in the afterlife.

RIP Peter