Veteran radio DJ Johnnie Walker, who hosted BBC Radio 2’s Sounds Of The 70s and The Rock Present, has died aged 79.
Recognized for championing artists like Lou Reed, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles, Walker in October introduced he would retire from radio after 58 years – having been beforehand recognized with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Weeks later, he introduced his ultimate Sounds Of The 70s present on BBC Radio 2 and hosted his final episode of The Rock Present as he hung up his headphones resulting from unwell well being.
Tiggy Walker, Johnnie’s spouse, stated: “I couldn’t be more proud of Johnnie – how he kept broadcasting almost to the end and with what dignity and grace he coped with his debilitating lung disease.
“He remained his charming, humorous self to the tip, what a powerful, superb man.”
She added: “And if I may say – what a day to go. He’ll be celebrating New Year’s Eve with a stash of great musicians in heaven.”
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The DJ was awarded an MBE in 2006. Pic: PA
Walker’s demise was introduced on air by his buddy and colleague, BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris, who took over as presenter of Sounds of the 70s in November.
Helen Thomas, head of BBC Radio 2, referred to as him a “much-loved broadcasting legend” with a “wry sense of humour” and “warm, open style”.
“He loved radio and inspired a generation of presenters, passionately promoting the artists and music he cared about so deeply.”
The BBC’s director normal, Tim Davie, stated the organisation was “deeply saddened” by the passing of a “pop radio pioneer and a champion of great music”.
“No one loved the audience as much as Johnnie, and we loved him back.”
Born in Birmingham, he left college aged 15 to coach to as a mechanic, later turning into a automobile salesman.
However his ardour for music was already effervescent away, and he picked up a Friday night time slot as a disco DJ underneath the title Peter Dee.
In 1966 he started his radio profession on an offshore pirate station, Swinging Radio England.
Nevertheless it was with Radio Caroline that he grew to become a family title, internet hosting a preferred night-time present.
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