[Music] Sounds of the 70’s with Johnnie Walker

[Weststander]

Thoughts to JW and his loved ones.

A gently spoken legend, with a huge passion for music. One of the R1 DJ’s I listened to on my Dad’s radio, with Rosko and Henry. Listening figures were huge, they were icons.

I think of JW as focusing on West Coast American and especially The Eagles. His departure to the US coincided with the arrival of punk here.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

Oh no. Hope it's finite in years. Haven't listened to BBC Sounds or looked for details. Fond memories of his daily lunchtime show in my final summer hols before I started work and then I used to pop out to the car to listen after I got my first job (well only job for 45 years!). Good memories and his autobiography is a good read for people of a certain age. My age.

 

[Ooh it’s a corner]

He fought cancer some years ago I think. He’s a bit of a legend. A genuine pirate - then the lunchtime Radio 1 show with the charts. I still have somewhere, on cassette, my recording of his final show in that series. And these days I listen to Sounds of the 70s every week on catch up. Keep fighting Johnny

 

[LamieRobertson]

He fought cancer some years ago I think. He’s a bit of a legend. A genuine pirate - then the lunchtime Radio 1 show with the charts. I still have somewhere, on cassette, my recording of his final show in that series. And these days I listen to Sounds of the 70s every week on catch up. Keep fighting Johnny

Correct

“The DJ has been cared for by his wife almost since they were married in 2003. Walker was diagnosed with cancer just a few months after their honeymoon and then she was diagnosed with breast cancer ten years later.”

 

[Super Steve Earle]

A reminder of the days when most on the radio presenters came from a DJ background and had a knowlege and love for the music they played. Sadly and literally a dying breed, replaced by presenters where the music interrupts their inane babble.

 

[FamilyGuy]

He used to play Percy Sledge's 'Warm and tender love' at the same time every night when he was on Radio Caroline, and I am sure he played more soul back then. I think going to America bent his brain and he sold out, trying to be cool.

at 10:30pm I believe, with listeners lined up along the beach shining their headlights at the ship - simpler times.

 

[Worried Man Blues]

IPF is a shit disease a one way ticket but no one knows how long these things will take, good luck man.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

Not good news…headline of a DT article

BBC Radio 2 DJ Johnnie Walker told to ‘prepare to die at any moment’​

Presenter, 79, who has idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, says he’s ‘only got a finite amount of time’ as he pays tribute to wife Tiggy


…..more here

The couple spoke on a special BBC Sounds exclusive show, Walker and Walker: Johnnie and Tiggy, which aired to mark Carers Week.

I read this article yesterday - desperately sad news.

I've listed to him for years, and Sounds of the Seventies is my favourite two hours of radio.

Thoughts with him and his family.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

Johnnie Walker: Radio 2 Sounds of the 70s and Rock Show presenter retires from BBC

He will step down from Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show at the end of this month due to ill health.

www.bbc.co.uk

Sad news - I love this show.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

A reminder of the days when most on the radio presenters came from a DJ background and had a knowlege and love for the music they played. Sadly and literally a dying breed, replaced by presenters where the music interrupts their inane babble.

Sorry to see this thread rebooted with sad news. I almost gave a thumbs up to my own post above!
I hope he doesn't suffer too much now. Makes me want to email him and thank him for the pleasure since before I even started work over 50 years ago.

 

[LamieRobertson]

I read this article yesterday - desperately sad news.

I've listed to him for years, and Sounds of the Seventies is my favourite two hours of radio.

Thoughts with him and his family.

I guess it’s small consolation….but the show remains and will be hosted by ‘whispering’ Bob