Alan Freeman dies - Pop Music Icon

[SpaceShip]

Fluff' Freeman Dies

Tuesday November 28, 2006

The legendary DJ and broadcaster Alan Freeman has died at the age of 79.
The man behind the cult catchphrases "Greetings, Pop Pickers" and "Not 'Arf" died peacefully at his Brinsworth House home in Twickenham.
He had suffered a brief illness.
Lesley Douglas, controller of BBC Radio 2, described Freeman as "iconic", saying: "The words unique and iconic are overused, but in Alan Freeman's case, they are absolutely appropriate.
"He was a great broadcaster who was loved by listeners and colleagues."
The Radio 1 DJ coined the phrase Pop Pickers in 1961 and described rock music fans as "music lovers".
Nicknamed "Fluff", Freeman was described by a BBC spokeswoman as self-effacing.
She added that he enjoyed the friendship of colleagues throughout the industry including John Peel, Robert Plant, Noel Edmonds, Paul McCartney and Chris Tarrant
His personal manager for the last 20 years, Tim Blackmore, said: "Alan was a naturally warm man who never quite understood the nature of his appeal.
"His was the creation of the chart countdown, his was the stunning combination of rock music and classical music, and his was the creation of minimalism in the art of the DJ."
Freeman, who was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1927, and came to Britain in 1957, enjoyed almost 50 years in the industry.

[mosaix]

Sad indeed. He had one of those voices that was instantly recognisable. Can't think of him and his voice without remembering the the weekly countdown to 'number one' on the radio all those years ago. And that background music he used to play, "At the Sign Of The Swinging Cymbal". Sounds and times like that stick in your head forever.

[Foxbat]

Moved this thread to the music section.