Johnnie Walker Meets...

Johnnie Walker meets Albert Hammond - the greatest songwriter you've never heard of.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

They enjoy an honest conversation about her upbringing in Aberdeen, early days in London with Dave Stewart, the huge success of the Eurythmics, meeting Nelson Mandela and fighting for positive change in the world. Annie also talks frankly about her work as a solo artist and what the future holds for her.

Johnnie Walker meets the singer, songwriter and campaigner Annie Lennox.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

They enjoy an honest conversation about her upbringing in Aberdeen, early days in London with Dave Stewart, the huge success of the Eurythmics, meeting Nelson Mandela and fighting for positive change in the world. Annie also talks frankly about her work as a solo artist and what the future holds for her.

Johnnie Walker meets the singer, songwriter and campaigner Annie Lennox.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Bette: From Broadway to Beaches. Johnnie Walker meets the Divine Miss Bette Midler.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

She takes us through her early days as a civil rights protester, daughter of a Broadway singer and Quaker, being a student at Harvard and meeting John Lee Hooker and other blues giants at the age of 19 to her success with Luck Of The Draw, Nick Of Time, I Can't Make You Love Me and Thing Called Love, among many others.

Bonnie also brings us up to date with 2012's Slipstream and her twentieth album Dig In Deep.

Johnnie Walker talks to Grammy Award winner Bonnie Raitt about her 45-year career.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Johnnie celebrates Bryan's 40 years as a solo artist and founding creative force of Roxy Music, looking through his entire catalogue and hearing about his latest project The Jazz Age, which can be described as Bryan Ferry meets the roaring 20s.

It finds the Bryan Ferry Orchestra interpreting classics like Avalon, Do The Strand and Slave To Love, in the style of performers such as Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke and Duke Ellington. Bryan feels it's something that wouldn't be out of place at a party held by F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jay Gatsby.

Bryan discusses his jazz influenced childhood in County Durham at the end of the war, early music and art experimentation at Newcastle University and his incredible career, which started with the band Roxy, featuring Andy Mackay and Brian Eno, gaining airplay from John Peel, followed by a name change and a contract with Island Records.

There then follows 40 years of ground breaking albums, concerts and visual projects both as a solo artist and band leader. The set list of any Bryan Ferry concert could draw from Ladytron, Do The Strand, Pyjamarama, Editions Of You, A Song For Europe, Both Ends Burning, Dance Away, Slave To Love, A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall, Smoke Gets In My Eyes, Oh Yeah, Virginia Plain, Love Is The Drug, Jealous Guy, and Avalon to name but a few. All original and yet instantly recognisable to a huge audience.

Johnnie Walker celebrates 40 years of innovation and musical masterpieces with Bryan Ferry

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Additionally Simon opens the door on her turbulent marriage to James Taylor, revealing that the two no longer speak except through their children, and talks movingly about her disfunctional relationship with her father and the effect this had on her personal and professional lives. She is frank and forthcoming about her physical problems, including a childhood stammer and a late life struggle with breast cancer, her former and current lovers and her hopes for the future.

In an exclusive interview Carly Simon discusses life, love and her diverse career.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Her songs were recorded by some of the biggest transatlantic pop stars of her generation and beyond - an illustrious list that includes The Beatles, The Byrds, The Everly Brothers, Herman's Hermits, Dusty Springfield and Barbra Streisand.

But it was the 1971 release of her solo album Tapestry that saw Carole make the transition from a composer into a performer in her own right. The quadruple-grammy-winning disc saw Carole offer her personal take on tracks she's made into hits - like Will You Love Me Tomorrow (The Shirelles), (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman (Aretha Franklin) and You've Got A Friend (popularised by her friend James Taylor)

In 2009, 38 years after the release of this landmark album, Carole made a rare visit to the UK and spoke candidly to Johnnie Walker. In this interview she talks about the making of Tapestry, her musical family, concerns for the environment, dealing with stage fright, and the legendary musicians - like Aretha Franklin - who made her songs their own.

Carole also illustrates her story with some impromptu performances on her trademark piano, the tool of her craft, as she offers a masterclass in songwriting and composing.

An in-depth conversation as Johnnie profiles the career of a true living legend.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Emmylou Harris proclaimed 'it was a glorious sound' when she first sang with her friend Linda Ronstadt and their 'favourite' singer Dolly Parton in 1975 at her house in LA. As you will hear, the harmonies blended as if they had been singing together from birth, creating what they called 'the sisterhood of song'. Dolly says just hearing the subsequent recordings still gives her chills. Many believe that they created what we now call Americana, with the Trio project.

Johnnie hears about those first meetings and the struggle to get their schedules aligned for two albums (released twelve years apart), plus the fun they had choosing the songs and who would sing them, working in the studio with some amazing musicians and winning awards and critical and audience acclaim, plus their thoughts on the other artists they covered - including Linda Thompson, Randy Newman, the Carter Family and Neil Young.

Trio is the perfect description for their equal and delicately balanced collaboration, as the albums remain their favourite works and are, in their own words, their enduring legacy.

Johnnie talks in depth to three of America's greatest music stars about their album Trio.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Elkie discusses her life and signature songs such as No More The Fool, Pearl's A Singer, Gasoline Alley and some brand new recordings.

Elkie talks about her record breaking career and signature songs such as Pearl's a Singer.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

In 2013, a packed audience at London's O2 Arena went wild as Fleetwood Mac welcomed on stage Christine McVie, completing the line-up of the band that produced one of the biggest selling albums of all times 'Rumours'.

The success of Fleetwood Mac, is without precedent considering the varying line ups. However, the constants include their remarkable drummer and 'big daddy' of the group Mick Fleetwood and the 'quiet man', bassist John McVie. Which is fortunate as that's how the band's name came about, combining their two surnames way back in 1967.

Across two hours Johnnie Walker speaks to Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and features a rare interview with, pianist and singer-songwriter Christine McVie. We learn how they all had their part to play in the jigsaw puzzle of Fleetwood Mac's enduring success. Despite the sometimes hedonistic lifestyle, divorces and ego clashes, they couldn't have produced decades of hit records without love and friendship.

Johnnie Walker takes us 'Beyond The Rumours'.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Along they way they said farewell to friends like Anthony Phillips and Chris Stewart, but gained inspired guitarist Steve Hackett and a drama student and jazz drummer called Phil Collins.

It is testament to these mild mannered English gentleman that they have survived the departure (and occasional return) of Peter and Phil as lead vocalist and huge solo successes to remain friends and stay together. They have also stuck to their musical roots and principles enjoying both long songs and huge worldwide hits.

Now the three existing members - Tony, Mike and Phil join Johnnie Walker, in the same room, to talk in depth about all their albums, singles, tours and solo work. They talk frankly about being perhaps too ubiquitous in the 80s, changing drumming forever and welcoming each person's solo work as a building block for the success of the whole band. Naturally the subject of reunions and the future is not left out.

Johnnie Walker talks to the existing members of Genesis about their careers.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Along the way they said farewell to friends like Anthony Phillips and Chris Stewart, but gained inspired guitarist Steve Hackett and a drama student and jazz drummer called Phil Collins.

It is testament to these mild mannered English gentlemen that they have survived the departure (and occasional return) of Peter and Phil as lead vocalist and huge solo successes to remain friends and stay together. They have also stuck to their musical roots and principles enjoying both long songs and huge worldwide hits.

Now the three existing members - Tony, Mike and Phil join Johnnie Walker, in the same room, to talk in depth about all their albums, singles, tours and solo work. They talk frankly about being perhaps too ubiquitous in the 80s, changing drumming forever and welcoming each person's solo work as a building block for the success of the whole band. Naturally the subject of reunions and the future is not left out.

This is an extended version of the programme that was broadcast in November, with additional music and interviews.

Johnnie Walker talks to the existing members of Genesis about their careers.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

James also plays new material and classics from the 1970s live in session, with some of his touring band, at the BBC's Maida Vale studios.

Topics include family, addiction, being the first signed artist to the Beatles Apple record label and friendships with Peter Asher, Carole King, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Joni Mitchell and the actor Warren Oates.

Johnnie and James remember classic tracks from albums like Gorilla and Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon and singles, like Handyman, Carolina In My Mind, Sweet Baby James and Fire and Rain, that have touched all our lives.

James Taylor talks in depth about his life and career and plays live in session.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Jimmy also guides Johnnie through his work with the Yardbirds and his friend Jeff Beck and the initial plans, with John Entwistle and Keith Moon, to form a supergroup that would, in the words of Moon, go down like a lead balloon, with Pete Townshend at least.

Jimmy talks about the infamous concert tours, recent reformation and classic recordings of Led Zeppelin and his friends and co-founders Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones.

Johnnie talks to founder member of Led Zeppelin Jimmy Page about his career.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Despite being seen as public enemy number one by concerned parents and the establishment in the 70s, Alice is actually one of the most intelligent, funny and warm raconteurs in the rock business. As Johnnie discovers, his friends have included Groucho Marx, John Lennon, Keith Moon, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. What's more he is not scared to sleep with Yvonne the Boa Constrictor in his hotel room, even if she did once escape into the plumbing system. Alice also sets the record straight about his interaction with Mary Whitehouse. So get ready for a brilliant hour of great stories, wisdom and music from the master.

Alice talks about his beautifully warped hits, scary alter-ego and shocking stage show.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Blondie's subsequent journey, which they discuss here, took them through punk, new wave, disco, hip-hop and pop and the 1970s to the present day in the company of the Velvet Underground, the owner of CBGBs, producers Giorgio Moroder, Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn and Richard Gere.

As Debbie says it's important to sound like yourself and Johnnie goes through their catalogue (which adds up to forty million album sales), including Parallel Lines, which he describes as about as perfect as an album could be. Denis, Dreaming, Maria, Rapture, Call Me and brand new tracks are also featured.

When Blondie released their album Pollinator Johnnie spoke to Debbie Harry and Chris Stein

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Mark also discusses his earlier jobs and musical adventures, the first steps of Dire Straits and his childhood, especially his first treasured guitar and the vinyl singles and performances from the Everly Brothers, Hank Marvin and Duane Eddy, which sent him down a path that led to 125 million record sales.

Mark will talk us through all the key tracks from his life (both influences and compositions) and his most recent, eighth solo album Tracker.

He talks about the thrill of tracking down subject matter, tracking down an idea, investigating the whole thing, as he prepares to write and work in the studio.

Tracker also contains a new cast of characters drawn from Mark's endless fascination with people, both real and imagined, and places and times in his own life.

Co-produced with his longtime confidant Guy Fletcher, it features frequent collaborators, such as John McCusker on fiddle and cittern, Mike McGoldrick on whistle and flute, bassist Glenn Worf and drummer Ian Thomas.

The record also features the fruits of newer friendships, for example two elegant saxophone cameos by Nigel Hitchcock on River Towns and Wherever I Go. The latter song closes the album and features Mark duetting with singer-songwriter Ruth Moody (famous for her work with the Wailin' Jennys) .

Mark Knopfler talks Johnnie through key tracks from his life and his last album Tracker.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Neil talks about his American roots, which led him to write the anthemic America and his move from New York to California, spawning the deeply moving I Am I Said. He asks what inspired Neil to pick up a guitar and write such classics as Solitary Man, Shilo, You Don't Bring Me Flowers and Love On The Rocks.

This interview first broadcast on Radio 2 in July 2011.

New York City Born And Raised - Johnnie Walker meets Neil Diamond.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Playing many of his hits at the piano, Neil remembers studying at the world famous Juilliard School in New York; signing to Atlantic Records; working at The Brill Building with songwriting greats like Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman; and enjoying ten US top ten hits in a row.

With the British Invasion of the American music charts, Neil's homespun style of songwriting proved less popular, so he decided to reverse the invasion and try his luck in England, where he signed to Elton John's Rocket Record label and produced the aptly-titled album Sedaka's Back. The story is brought up-to-date with details of Neil's latest projects, including his first symphonic piece, Joie de Vivre, and his plans for the future.

Another chance to hear Neil Sedaka in conversation with Johnnie Walker.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

We hear the story of four very different musicians, with 'One Vision' and one very distinctive sound. Their accolades are well charted: they've had eighteen number one albums, they were the first rock band to make singing along OK, and they made history with their show-stealing performance at Wembley Stadium for Live Aid, widely regarded as one of the greatest in rock history.

We'll hear many of their classic hits and memorable album tracks, with some unique insights from the original members. This interview first broadcast on Radio 2 in August 2011.

Johnnie Walker speaks to Queen's Roger Taylor and Brian May.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Johnnie meets Jimmy Webb as he plays his way throughout his hit making history.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Johnnie meets Jimmy Webb as he plays his way throughout his hit making history.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

They got chatting over the phone about Johnnie's Sounds of the 70s show and music in general, and Johnnie came up with the idea of recording a special two hour show, driving around Bolton and Manchester, whilst having a chat, a pasty from Peter's favourite bakery and lots of laughs as they sang along to their favourite records on the car stereo system.

You can tell that Peter loves radio from the station Forever FM, which he created for his BBC series Car Share. As Peter tells Johnnie, music and the radio station were a big part of the show, becoming the third character.

Their playlist includes Gary US Bonds, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, The Drifters, Mike & The Mechanics, Simon & Garfunkel and Van Morrison.

Peter shares a chat, a pasty, lots of laughs and a sing-along around Bolton in his car.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

This includes what he calls camera shutter moments - the early family fun on the river Thames, the acting, the music, the hits, the misses, his inability to say no to work, his marriages and divorces and the tabloid headlines. Phil ultimately brings us around to today's happiness, in both his personal and professional life.

Phil started his career as a child actor and remembers the occasion when he ended up on the cutting room floor (with the Fab Four).

The early music breaks also feature large in this chat - seeing Cream in London during the swinging 60s, one of his first sessions - working with another solo Beatle (and again getting cut out of the finished album) and the moment when the light bulbs came on above the heads of Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford (during the unnecessary auditions for a replacement singer in Genesis), after Peter Gabriel left. He also goes into detail about the personal and technical feelings and milestones, which determined the path of his solo career.

Above all, as one of the few people to sell more than 100 million records worldwide, Phil goes through his amazing solo success, creating the extraordinary In The Air Tonight, working with royalty, Disney and his idols The Who and Eric Clapton, amongst many others.

ProducerMark Simpson.

Phil Collins discusses his entire catalogue and writing his autobiography Not Dead Yet.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Phil Collins discusses his life and career in a candid, funny and fascinating special with Johnnie, after reissuing his back catalogue and writing his autobiography Not Dead Yet.

Highlights include her childhood and military background, their first meeting in Germany, his love of gospel and opera and Elvis's career highlights, especially the 68 Comeback Special and a new album project mixing his powerful vocal delivery with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded at Abbey Road studios.

Priscilla talks in depth about Elvis, the southern gentleman, who helped her get used to fame, poured his heart out to her and was, to this day, the love of her life.

This programme was first broadcast in August this year.

Johnnie Walker talks to Priscilla Presley about her life with Elvis.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

He journeys back to 1962 where in the second year at Sedgehill Comprehensive School, in Beckenham, Kent, a schoolboy; Francis Rossi, teams up with fellow orchestra member Alan Lancaster to form The Scorpions. A year later they change their name to The Spectres and at rehearsals in the Air Cadets base, Dulwich, South London they recruit drummer John Coghlan. But it wasn't until a meeting at Butlin's in Minehead when Rick Parfitt the final member of the 'Frantic Four', was introduced to the band which became Status Quo in 1967.

Francis, Alan, John and Rick recall that time, their closeness, the laughter and their break-up. Their rise to fame, wasn't instant but this record-breaking band have worldwide record sales of over 118 million, they've recorded 64 British hit singles - more than any other band - 22 of which hit the Top Ten. Despite continuously being on the rock and pop map, they enjoyed a resurgence in 1985 when they opened Live Aid at Wembley, with Rocking All Over The World.

They have just finished a UK Tour with their current line-up. But next March Francis, Alan, John and Rick will regroup for their tour called 'Status Quo - The Legendary Frantic Four', who are still Rocking All Over The Years.

From the Scorpions to the Spectres, and now 50 years on they've reached the Status Quo.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

He journeys back to 1962 where in the second year at Sedgehill Comprehensive School, in Beckenham, Kent, a schoolboy; Francis Rossi, teams up with fellow orchestra member Alan Lancaster to form The Scorpions. A year later they change their name to The Spectres and at rehearsals in the Air Cadets base, Dulwich, South London they recruit drummer John Coghlan. But it wasn't until a meeting at Butlin's in Minehead when Rick Parfitt the final member of the 'Frantic Four', was introduced to the band which became Status Quo in 1967.

Francis, Alan, John and Rick recall that time, their closeness, the laughter and their break-up. Their rise to fame, wasn't instant but this record-breaking band have worldwide record sales of over 118 million, they've recorded 64 British hit singles - more than any other band - 22 of which hit the Top Ten. Despite continuously being on the rock and pop map, they enjoyed a resurgence in 1985 when they opened Live Aid at Wembley, with Rocking All Over The World.

Johnnie Walker marks 50 years of Status Quo by talking to the members of the band.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Rod Stewart CBE has broken chart records on both sides of the Atlantic, with top ten and number one hit singles and albums, including clever covers, the great American songbook and his own heartfelt compositions.

Rod talks in depth about his love of this country, his family, football, long legged blondes, the armed forces, that famous Stewart 'luck' and his triumphant return to song writing.

Since Johnnie and Rod last met he has released two albums and written his autobiography, so there is a lot to catch up on. Above all, he is great company - hugely enthusiastic and very funny - and not afraid to comment on his past and laugh at himself.

This programme was first broadcast in August.

Johnnie talks to Rod about family, football, blondes, luck and his return to songwriting.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Johnnie will also pay tribute to the first voice on Radio 2 - Paul Hollingdale, who sadly passed away recently. You'll also hear archive clips from the opening morning on both stations, shows from the period like Top Gear and Junior Choice and songs that were making the charts in the summer of love.

Johnnie relives the early days of BBC pop broadcasting with fellow pirates and pioneers.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Johnnie also pays tribute to the first voice on Radio 2 - Paul Hollingdale, who sadly passed away in 2017. You'll also hear archive clips from the opening morning on both stations, shows from the period like Top Gear and Junior Choice and songs that were making the charts in the summer of love.

Johnnie relives the early days of BBC pop broadcasting with fellow pirates and pioneers.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Johnnie relives the early days of BBC radio pop broadcasting with fellow pirates who left the high seas for Portland Place.

Joined by his friends and colleagues 'Admiral' Robbie Dale (who along with Johnnie remained on board after midnight on the 14th August when the Marine Offences Bill passed into law, broadcasting illegally to an estimated European audience of 22 million), Tom Edwards (who left Caroline on the 14th), Pete Brady, Roger Twiggy Day, Keith Cardboard Shoes Skues, Emperor Rosko, Paul Burnett and Tony Blackburn, who worked on both Caroline and London, Johnnie will play some of 1967's key tracks on the medium wave and pay tribute to Kenny Everett and Ed Stewart.

Johnnie celebrates the excitement and energy of the groundbreaking pirate radio shows.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Joined by his friends and colleagues the late 'Admiral' Robbie Dale (who along with Johnnie remained on board after midnight on the 14th August when the Marine Offences Bill passed into law, broadcasting illegally to an estimated European audience of 22 million), Tom Edwards (who left Caroline on the 14th), Pete Brady, Roger Twiggy Day, Keith Cardboard Shoes Skues, Emperor Rosko, Paul Burnett and Tony Blackburn, who worked on both Caroline and London, Johnnie plays some of 1967's key tracks on the medium wave and pays tribute to Kenny Everett and Ed Stewart.

Johnnie celebrates the excitement and energy of the groundbreaking pirate radio shows.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

Johnnie celebrates the excitement and energy and groundbreaking shows of the early pirate radio stations like Radio London, Radio Caroline and Radio 270.

Music is Dionne Warwick's soul and she tells us about her astonishing dynasty. Her mother, Lee Drinkard Warwick, was the manager of the renowned gospel group The Drinkard Singers, and her aunt is Cissy Houston, mother of the late Whitney Houston.

But It was at a Drifters recording session 50 years ago when the magic began, she was spotted by the prolific songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David and they formed the most triumphant triumvirates in pop music. They racked up more than 30 hit singles during their first decade together. Bacharach described her voice: 'she has a strong side and a delicacy when singing softy, like miniature ships in bottles, she was no play-it-safe girl'.

But their relationship wasn't always plain sailing. Dionne describes how angry she was when they gave her demo song, Make It Easy On Yourself, to another artist after promising it to her. She yelled at them 'Don't make me over man you have to accept me for what I am!' Hal said: 'Burt, I think we just heard the title of a new song'. Don't Make Me Over became Dionne's first solo hit and, 50 years later, she is still making records. It's a poignant fact her latest album, Now, was the last project for that team when Hal David died earlier this year.

Dionne jokes about not always making the right decisions, such as her reluctance to have Arista stablemate Barry Manilow produce her and her uncertainty about working with The Bee Gees on Heartbreaker, which became her best-selling album.

You'll hear all the favourites like Wishin' And Hopin', Anyone Who Had A Heart, A House Is Not A Home, and Do You Know The Way To San Jose.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.

He speaks frankly about his early appearances in tough working mens clubs, being nurtured by Gordon Mills, his marriage to childhood sweetheart Linda, success in Las Vegas, friendships with stars like Elvis Presley, his comeback with Kiss and recent role on The Voice.

Sir Tom talks Johnnie through the classic songs Delilah, Green Green Grass Of Home, It's Not Unusual and Thunderball and brings his story up to date with the recent publication of his autobiography and album collaborations with Ethan Johns.

Johnnie talks to Tom Jones about his journey to worldwide fame and success.

Johnnie Walker talks to music legends about their long and fascinating careers.