I heard one of his colleagues on the radio saying that John used to listen to approx 150 demo tapes per week,but never got bored as he knew somewhere in there,there would be 3 minutes that would really move him,and that's what made it worthwhile.
He went beyond the chintz of chart-music and brought fresh and interesting sounds from many diverse genres to everyone from kids listening late at night out in obscure villages to established musicians.
Few people have had such unanimous respect from such a vast cross-section of society.
RIP John - I'll miss your comforting voice late at night playing me some hardcore thrash....then some weird folk music....then some drum and bass......then some......