Andy Kershaw: The maverick's maverick

Amongst the expected messages of tribute to George Michael who died at the age of just 53, there was a lone voice that called into question into whether the level of outpouring for his death wad equivalent to his death, Andy Kershaw questioned whether Michael would be mentioned in the same bracket as Joni Mitchell and Louis Armstrong among others. This has led to Kershaw of being accused of being insensitive but anyone with knowledge of Kershaw's career and background will know that he is someone who does not stick to the conventional path. He got his first job in the media after meeting Trevor Dann, producer of Whistle Test (formerly known as The Old Grey Whistle Test) when he was working as road manager for Billy Bragg which saw him take the post of host/reporter. Kershaw brought an attitude that was sceptical of big names, one example being a very terse interview with Deep Purple members Ian Gillan and Jon Lord which when after his far more genial co-host David Hepworth opened the interview with a question about pay and then for most of the interview Kershaw constantly asked if Deep Purple had got back together just for the money, it is said that Gillan and Lord left the studio at the first opportunity. For 15 years between 1985 and 2000 at BBC Radio 1 Kershaw was a champion for World music with one programme being broadcast simultaneously on both Radio 1 and Radio 4. Among Kershaw's other television work includes Travelog, a Channel 4 travel programme which concentrated on more unlikely destinations than those seen on BBC1's Holiday or ITV's Wish You Were Here. As if to continue his reputation for going against the norm Kershaw went to North Korea. For those complain about Kershaw's remarks really should get to know what the man has done.

For those interested both the Deep Purple interview and the North Korea film can be seen on Youtube.