Classic John Peel rock reviews - in memoriam.

[Wat_Tyler]

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,1339899,00.html

Wham's final concert at Wembley Stadium, published on 13 July 1986

'They never wearied of the flirtations and the running about, and when Elton John appeared in an asinine clown's outfit - does he do these things to mask some insecurity? - they correctly perceived that this was an honour for him, rather than Wham!'

The Pretenders, 24 May 1987

'The music was dogmatic and humourless and the consumers, still standing but almost motionless, amused themselves by punching balloons about in a thoughtful manner, while otherwise behaving as though attending a lecture on the inland waterways of Belgium.

Madonna, 23 August 1987

'"Two-dimensional," suggested the Guardian' s man at the Madonna concert at Wembley. 'As good as that?' I muttered to my wife. At 8.18 Madonna appeared, wearing the fortified liberty bodice that has thrilled millions worldwide. 'Thank you and hello, London,' she improvised. 'England,' she added helpfully. 'Are you going to make this a night to remember for me?' she asked. With four children at my side and a £64 hole in my bank balance, I murmured something to the effect that we were paying her to make this a night to remember for us. As Madonna, playing Sleeping Beauty, feigned sleep on stage, torpor was stealing over the audience.'

Wet, Wet, Wet, 26 June 1988

The toilets at the reknitted Alexandra Palace have been much improved since I was last there, which, if memory serves, was for the 24-Hour Technicolour Dream in 1967, when I was more worried about missing Pink Floyd (I did) and seeing Brian Jones apparently just walking about (I didn't). The new urinals are far enough apart for eccentricities of technique to go unmarked by one's fellow performers, a consideration that almost made up for the 22-minute uphill trudge from the nearest parking space, in the company of some of the extrovert members of the 18-30 holiday scene, noisy lads reeking of lager, giggling lasses awash with parfum .