Remembering Johnnie Walker

Johnnie was right there at the beginning of pirate radio in the sixties, with his career starting on Swinging Radio England before moving on to Radio Caroline.

After this he went on to join Radio 1 in 1969 until the mid-seventies. You always knew that Johnnie was more interested in the music he played than becoming a star himself. Johnnie's legendary knowledge of the acts he performed, along with his unwavering enthusiasm and dedication to promoting new artists, persisted until his final show, the Radio 2 Rock Show, held on a Friday evening in the autumn.

Generations of music fans across Radio One and Two loved his wry sense of humour and warm style of presenting. Artists and the music industry held Johnnie in high esteem.

His programme on Radio One introduced the public to artists such as Lou Reed, Rod Stewart, The Eagles, and Elton John. However, after describing the music of the Bay City Rollers as "musical garbage," he left Radio One to pursue new opportunities in America.

His time in America was short, with him returning in the early eighties, where he presented shows on commercial radio and then the BBC local radio stations before joining Radio 2 in 1998, where eventually he would host his Sounds of the 70’s show and the aforementioned Radio 2 Rock show.

In October of last year, he announced his retirement from radio after 58 years due to a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

A true radio pioneer and presenter who will be sadly missed by all.

He is survived by his second wife, Tiggy (nee Jarvis), whom he married in 2003, and by the son and daughter of his first marriage, to Frances Kum, which ended in divorce.

Johnnie Walker (Peter Waters Dingley), radio presenter, born 30 March 1945; died 31st December 2024.