[chrisjames]

That's the question posed today in this online article http://www.fansshare.com/news/feature-- ... -ever-had/ . It's a good question.In terms of pure entertainment he certainly rates among the best of all time,but DJs like John Peel were totally different types of DJ and could also qualify for the title.What do you think?

[nade]

A little bit daft asking the question on a fansite.

I'd certainly rate him, however, I never listen to any other radio at all. So I'm sure that would influence things.

[G-Sizzle]

I'd personally say yes, but the fact that he's hated by alot of people would probably suggest that he isn't.

[Yudster]

Impossible question, because whilst Chris certainly started his career as a radio DJ, since he has been at R1 that's really not what he does - not if you regard "DJ" as someone who showcases music, like Zane does, like John Peel did. Yes there is music in Chris's show (there used to be a lot more than there is now anyway) but its not and never has been about the music. So I think I would say no, Chris probably isn't the best DJ in the world, but he is the best radio presenter. By miles. And by the way I also believe that if he chose to be, he would be the best DJ in the world - just because music isn't the focus of his show, he has a great love of and knowledge about music and he could do that.


Hmm. I inadvertently appear to have climbed into Chris Moyles' arse.


*climbs out and has long shower*

[Nicola_Red]

I don't think it's possible to say. It's too subjective and there are way too many criteria that you could take into account.

[Wykey]

The finest radio journalists I've heard, Kind of in order:

Tommy Boyd
The collective of Test Match Special
The Dannys Baker and Kelly
Mike Dickin
Nicky Campbell (back in the day)
Peter Alliss


Chris I'd put on a par with Mike Dickin (which is a huge compliment).

So to answer your question, no.

[Wykey]

but its not and never has been about the music.

Like the Monkees?

[Yudster]

JUST like the Monkees.

[Ilovematt]

I'm going to say .... Yes.

[SAV1OUR]

It'd be John Peel everytime for most I reckon, cos Chris is an entertainer, that probably doesn't mean as much to people as someone who opened up doors for up and coming artists.

[Travis Bickle]

Of all the radio presenters and DJ's that I have heard Chris is certainly my favourite, but it really is impossible to say if he is the best.

Nick Abbot circa 1994 on Virgin was absolutely supreme. He was at least the equal of Moyles then, but Chris edges it because he has stayed brilliant for so long.

Tommy Boyd in the early days of Talk Radio was brilliant. I genuinely found some of that radio to be captivating. He was a genuinely thought provoking and challenging presenter.

Someone who most people wont have heard of is a guy called Ed Doolan on BBC WM. I listened to him from about 1994 to 2007. By rights I should never have liked him as he is now 70 odd (I am 34) and his shows were consumer based and popular with old people, but he was like Chris in that if he was in a bad mood you would certainly know about it and he never held back with his opinions and what you heard on the air was the real him. He is still going now but is past his best.

There have been loads of radio presenters I have liked but they are the three that stand out for me. Mike Dickin and occasionaly James Whale stand out too.

[nade]

The only other dj who I have previously liked was James Whale. Used to listen to his show in the evenings while in the car. I'm sure it was talk sport or whatever it was called before it became talk sport.

[SAV1OUR]

James Stannage for me was like our own Bill Hicks when I discovered him (around the same time as Moyles) I still can't think of anyone who is or was as hardcore as he was during his Key103 days. On his last year there he even interviewed Bliar, and although we all knew he'd have to toe the station line and ask formal questions - the very idea of the interview sent chills down my spine, given his presenting style.

[shamrock student]

Very nice article, would it be fair to say that Chris is Britains best mainstream DJ. I don't remember Peel's shows but realise people across the industry rate him in the highest regard. Was Peel more of a cult following on air at specialist times, ie after 7pm, or did he pull in the multi million listenership that Chris gets.

Personally I of course think Chris is the best Britain has ever has, but it's an interesting debate all the same.

[bmstinton93]

No, he's awful.

[SCornelius7mufc]

Easily,

Unique talent and have listened for many years.

CM is the only radio show I listen to, If I want to hear music, there are many other ways of doing that these days.

[SAV1OUR]

If I want to hear music, there are many other ways of doing that these days.

I would imagine that's the way Radio1 look at things too - A world where everyone can suit themselves, but I just think it's a shame a great platform like that can't use itself as a force for musical good, but yes times have changed from the days of Radio Caroline, for example.

[GottaBeAndrew]

In the argument of music vs. talk radio, one thing I don't understand is how people can from a young age want to be a radio DJ and then when they eventually get into their dream job on radio, it's like 'Yay, i'm here. Ok, lets play lots of music now. Back to back. From the playlist.' It just doesn't make sense to me that you would want to make it that far just to sit and push buttons to start the next song, with perhaps the occasional mention of the time.

[Bas]

Very nice article, would it be fair to say that Chris is Britains best mainstream DJ. I don't remember Peel's shows but realise people across the industry rate him in the highest regard. Was Peel more of a cult following on air at specialist times, ie after 7pm, or did he pull in the multi million listenership that Chris gets.

Personally I of course think Chris is the best Britain has ever has, but it's an interesting debate all the same.

As an indication of the regard that John Peel was held in, this is a (now famous) bit of graffitti on the Sydenham By Pass in East Belfast.



I can't imagine any other radio presenter making that sort of impact, not Chris Moyles, except maybe someone scrawling 'Scott Mills is a c**t' somewhere.I'm pretty sure thats happened

I was never a student or that into the sort of music he championed to be honest, but as a broadcaster he was a colossus. Up there with, as Wykey has mentioned, Mike Dickin.

Its well known that Chris & Peel never got on when Chris joined Radio1, & Chris said some very uncomplimentary thing about Peel in public & vice versa, buts its a measure of both of them that eventually the enmity was tossed aside & they became close. Close enough for Chris to do a reading at Peel's funeral.

Dear God, i think i've found that Yudster shaped space up Moyles' jacksy!

[Nicola_Red]

Chris also gets a couple of nice, gently piss-taking mentions in John Peel's autobiog/biog, Margrave Of The Marshes. That's a great book, I definitely recommend it.

[shamrock student]

Very nice article, would it be fair to say that Chris is Britains best mainstream DJ. I don't remember Peel's shows but realise people across the industry rate him in the highest regard. Was Peel more of a cult following on air at specialist times, ie after 7pm, or did he pull in the multi million listenership that Chris gets.

Personally I of course think Chris is the best Britain has ever has, but it's an interesting debate all the same.

As an indication of the regard that John Peel was held in, this is a (now famous) bit of graffitti on the Sydenham By Pass in East Belfast.



I can't imagine any other radio presenter making that sort of impact, not Chris Moyles, except maybe someone scrawling 'Scott Mills is a c**t' somewhere.I'm pretty sure thats happened

I was never a student or that into the sort of music he championed to be honest, but as a broadcaster he was a colossus. Up there with, as Wykey has mentioned, Mike Dickin.

Its well known that Chris & Peel never got on when Chris joined Radio1, & Chris said some very uncomplimentary thing about Peel in public & vice versa, buts its a measure of both of them that eventually the enmity was tossed aside & they became close. Close enough for Chris to do a reading at Peel's funeral.

Dear God, i think i've found that Yudster shaped space up Moyles' jacksy!

Great post Bas, that pic is very cool.

[chrisjames]

I never knew Chris did a reading at John Peels funeral.That's really nice to hear.I remember the day Peel died. I just lay on my bed and wept for ages.Only other time thats happened is when Princess Diana got killed .

[R94N]

I don't really or haven't really ever listened to any other DJ as much so I don't think I could say.

[newsbeat]

Again, I can't really say he is or isn't, as I don't really listen to other stations like I do to Radio 1. He certainly has a lot of talent and enthusiasm though.

[Candyman]

Speaking of great DJs can't believe the BBC are going to axe Danny Bakers afternoon show on BBC London as part of their so called quality cutbacks. Yeah axe a multi Sony gold award winning show that makes sense doesnr it WTF