Last updated May 2007
Category: Radio 2
Printable version
Johnnie Walker joined BBC Radio 2 in April 1998 to present the Saturday
afternoon slot (3.30-5.30pm).
He presented Drivetime from October 1998 to
March 2006 (Monday to Friday, 5.00-7.00pm).
Johnnie now presents a Sunday show
on Radio 2 from 4.30-6.30pm (started 23 April 2006).
In the first few weeks his guests
included Bruce Springsteen, Robert Plant and Emmylou Harris.
Johnnie also
fronts a series of music specials for the network featuring in depth interviews
with some of the legends of popular music such as Eric Clapton and The Eagles.
One of the true legends of British radio, Johnnie Walker made his name in the
Sixties with the pirate ship Radio Caroline.
His night time show was essential listening for 86 per cent of the night time audience
which increased to more than 20 million Europe-wide on the night of 14 August
1967 as Johnnie and Radio Caroline continued in defiance of Government
legislation which silenced all the other pirates.
During his first seven year period with Radio 1, from 1969 to 1976, Johnnie
established a reputation as a DJ for whom the records he played were more
important than the chat in between.
On his noon to 2.00pm lunchtime show, he pioneered new names like Steve Harley,
Lou Reed, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and Steely Dan.
Pop The Question and the Tuesday Chart Rundown were other well remembered
features of his show.
Johnnie Walker is also remembered for saying that the Bay City Rollers were "musical garbage".
His outspoken views and insistence on playing album tracks
led to a showdown with his Radio 1 boss and he moved to California in 1976.
Johnnie returned home in the early Eighties and, following stints with ILR
stations Radio West and Wiltshire Radio in the West Country, came back to Radio
1 to present The Stereo Sequence.
On 5 June 2003 Johnnie announced to his Radio 2 listeners that he was taking
time off from the show to receive treatment for cancer. He returned to the Radio
2 airwaves the following year.
At the 2004 Sony Awards Johnnie won the Outstanding Contribution Gold Award
which was presented to him by Sir Elton John.
On 1 December 2005 Johnnie was inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame.
Johnnie was born on 30 March 1945. He was presented with an MBE on
24 February 2006.
