The Daily Star Ireland
Johnnie Walker, the renowned radio DJ, has passed away at the age of 79. His death was announced on air by his friend and colleague, Bob Harris, who took over hosting Sounds of the 70s in November.
Walker’s wife, Tiggy, expressed her pride in her husband’s enduring strength, saying that despite his debilitating lung disease, he continued to broadcast with dignity and grace. She shared that Johnnie remained his charming and humorous self to the very end, describing his life as a “rollercoaster ride.” She also remarked that he would now be celebrating New Year’s Eve with a collection of great musicians in heaven, one year after his final live show.
In late October, Johnnie hosted his last Sounds of the 70s on BBC Radio 2 and presented his final episode of The Rock Show as he retired due to health issues. He had previously announced his retirement in early October, citing his battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a lung condition.
Tim Davie, the BBC’s director general, expressed the organization’s deep sadness at Johnnie’s passing, acknowledging him as a pop radio pioneer who touched the lives of millions with his passion for music.
Born in Birmingham, Johnnie Walker left school at 15 to pursue work as a mechanic and later as a car salesman. His love for music led him to become a disco DJ under the name Peter Dee. He began his radio career in 1966 on the offshore pirate station Swinging Radio England and later moved to Radio Caroline, where he became famous for his late-night show.
In 1969, he joined BBC Radio 1, where he worked until 1976 before relocating to San Francisco to record a weekly show for Radio Luxembourg. Upon returning to the UK in the 1980s, he hosted Saturday Stereo Sequence on Radio 1. He eventually left the station in 1995 and joined BBC Radio 2 in 1998, where he took over several shows, including Drivetime.
Johnnie was known for his deep love of music, often prioritizing the records he played over his commentary between songs. He is credited with introducing iconic artists such as Lou Reed, Fleetwood Mac, and The Eagles to the British public.
In 2003, Johnnie faced a major health challenge when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy and emergency surgery. He famously shared his diagnosis live on air, later revealing that he had died on the operating table three times during surgery.
Johnnie Walker’s legacy as a beloved DJ and music champion remains strong, and he will be remembered for his significant contributions to British radio.
