Smooth Radio’s Andy Peebles goes on tour

Smooth Radio and former BBC Radio 1 presenter Andy Peebles is to set off on a speaking tour across England, as he celebrates 40 years in radio.

Andy, who was the last British person to interview John Lennon during his 13 year stint at Radio 1, starts his solo gig in Sussex.

He’ll be sharing moments of his career including excerpts from the interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono conducted two days before the former Beatle was murdered in 1980.

Andy will be talking about some of the hundreds of music, sport and political personalities he has interviewed during his career. He’s interviewed three British prime ministers, commentated on cricket for the BBC and regularly presented shows on national radio for four decades.

In 2011 Andy was inducted into the Radio Academy’s Hall of Fame and currently broadcasts every Saturday evening on Smooth Radio with his Soul Train.

Andy said: “Of course I’ll be talking about the momentous interview with John Lennon but I’ll also be telling the audience about my conversations with hundreds of other world-famous figures. I interviewed Elton John several times who I got on with really well due to our shared enthusiasm for soul music. I’ll also be telling the audience about my meeting with Margaret Thatcher and what it was like to come face-to-face with executioner, Albert Pierrepoint, who saw more than 400 people to their deaths.”

Andy added: “I’m excited about going on tour. Although I’ve been broadcasting for decades this is my first talking tour so the performance at The Ropetackle Arts Centre is going to be special.

“After 40 years of broadcasting I decided to share my experiences. The talk will appeal to more than music fans – there’ll be something for sports fans and anyone with an interest in politics.”