#ThanksZane.
#ThanksZane.
I first heard of Zane Lowe when I saw him on MTV2's Gonzo, probably around 2005/06 (look it up if you haven't already). It's been long talked about how different he was back then, compared to his radio shows. After a bit of Wikipedia stalking I found out he presented on Radio 1, and that started me on the journey that ends tonight.
I was so impressed with how instant it was. How gripping, urgent. It was a huge difference to Gonzo, and it was a huge difference to every other radio show. On any station. At first I didn't like it, it wasn't the chilled out, couch dweller that I had grown to know. But it didn't take very long for me to get on board.
After I started out listening to indie music in ~2004, Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show got me in to every other genre of music I listen to today. I got in to rap music through his show, same with every variation of dance. Although he didn't inspire me to get in to radio (that was almost by accident), he did influence every artist I played over the last seven and a half years in every station, and - quite obviously - he pretty much dictated my presenting style in my attempts to mimic him. I'm sure the same can be said for thousands of student and professional radio presenters worldwide.
Gonzo. What a show. I remember looking forward to every October to hear about that year's Gonzo tour. I spent two tours with him, 2007 (headlined by Babyshambles, with Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong and Operator Please) and 2008 (headlined by Bloc Party, with Magistrates). I wish I knew back then how things would turn out - I would give up my Uni degree to follow him in to the same line of work, and here I am six years later working in radio professionally. I've had pictures with him on both occasions, which are long since lost. Ill never forget spending my 19th birthday in Glasgow's Barfly, watching Bloc Party play pretty much the smallest venue in Glasgow, hanging out with and talking to Zane before he played a blinding DJ set (that specific set is how I got in to Jay Z).
I used to set my sky to manually record the BBC Radio 1 Sky channel, for two hours between 7-9pm just to record Zane's show (this was pre iPlayer). I would listen to them for days afterwards. I looked forward to his shows more than any other. I waited patiently for every festival announcement because he announces the line-up with more excitement more than anyone else. You can see why Glastonbury, T in the Park, Reading and Leeds always came to him.
I can't say enough good words about the man. Neither can any of my friends making the exact same post today. And I will happily follow him to his next music adventure.
Zane, know that I would not be the person I am today had it not been for your guidance. Thank you for being an inspiration. Thank you for being a pioneer. And thank you for being hands down better than everyone else in the game.
Let's do this one more time. There could be tears. Zane Lowe, i am #OnBoard.









