Radio 2 Remembers Johnnie Walker

In tribute to the legendary Johnnie Walker, another chance to hear him and Peter Kay share a special show first broadcast in 2016.

It began with Peter Kay contacting Johnnie directly, saying that he was a lifelong fan of his radio shows, which was lovely for Johnnie to hear as he is a huge fan of Peter and his many shows, performances, charitable works and achievements.

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.

Across special programmes, we celebrate the life and career of the legendary broadcaster.

Johnnie Walker and Peter Kay recently recorded a special show, driving around Bolton, whilst having a chat, a pasty and lots of laughs as they sang along to their favourite records

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In tribute to our friend and colleague, another chance to hear DJ Johnnie Walker take a deep and very personal recollection of his colourful life, with over 58 years in the broadcasting business, from pirate radio to Radio 1 to KSAN in the USA to Radio West to GLR to 5Live and ultimately Radio 2. Along the way he soundtracks the ups and downs of his adventurous life with the music that mattered most, and that defined the key moments.

Johnnie Walker made his name in the 60s with the pirate ship Radio Caroline. Johnnie's night time show was infamous and on the night of 14 August 1967, as he and 'Caroline' continued in defiance of Government legislation, he had over 20 million people tuning in.

During his first seven-year period with Radio 1 from 1969 to 1976, Johnnie Walker established a reputation as a DJ who accorded more importance to the records he played than the chat in between. On his 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 the show.

Johnnie became front page news when he described the Bay City Rollers as 'musical garbage', and his outspoken views and insistence on playing album tracks led to a showdown with his Radio 1 boss, who told him that he was 'too way into the music man'.

Ultimately Johnnie left the UK for America, where he lived and toured the country in a silver RV. He moved to San Francisco in 1976 and started broadcasting on KSAN, until his devotion to the music got in the way again!

Johnnie returned to the UK in the early 80s, and following stints with ILR stations Radio West and Wiltshire Radio in the West Country, he returned to Radio 1 to present 'The Stereo Sequence'. Johnnie then worked on a number of stations including 5Live, Radio Radio and GLR before starting at Radio 2. Johnnie then took over the famous Drivetime slot on the station.

Then on June 5th 2003, he announced to the nation that he was taking time off to battle cancer. He returned to the station 6 months after and then won the Gold Award at the Sonys. In April 2006 Johnnie began his Sunday show on Radio 2 reflecting spirituality. That same year he was awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List. On 5th April 2009, Johnnie took over Sounds of the 70s, a programme that he has loved presenting to this day.

As Johnnie's Exec producer and producer of this programme, Paul Thomas says, it was an absolute privilege to take a real deep dive into Johnnie's life with him. He completely opened up and gave a really genuine account of his life with some truly deep personal thoughts - it's a real ride through all the ups and downs, from the rebel who refused to tow the line, to the cheeky music aficionado, to the profoundly spiritual person, who has touched the lives of millions. Johnnie Walker we salute you!

DJ Johnnie Walker takes a deep and very personal recollection of his colourful life.

Across special programmes, we celebrate the life and career of the legendary broadcaster.

DJ Johnnie Walker takes a deep and very personal recollection of his colourful life, with over 58 years in the broadcasting business, from pirate radio through to Radio 2

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The voice of radio legend Johnnie Walker has been a constant companion to many, from his days unveiling the latest charts on Radio 1, through guiding us home in Drivetime on Radio 2, and up to today sharing the Sounds of the 70s as the perfect Sunday soundtrack, as well as the weekly edition of The Rock Show. His radio career and life challenges have been well documented and to mark Carers Week on Radio 2, in this programme exclusively for BBC Sounds, Johnnie and his wife, producer and writer Tiggy, discuss life, love and death, in a frank and searingly honest conversation. They intimately share the story of their life together, from the day they met. A truly moving and remarkable listen.

Johnnie Walker and his wife producer and writer, Tiggy, discuss life, love and death.

Across special programmes, we celebrate the life and career of the legendary broadcaster.

To mark Carers Week on Radio 2, radio legend Johnnie Walker and his wife producer and writer, Tiggy Walker, discuss life, love and death, in a frank and honest conversation

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Radio 2's musical maestros go head-to-head, selecting the ultimate playlist, in a fun show of one-upmanship, through a series of tightly themed rounds. Strategic song selections, quick thinking, timely responses and playful respect are essential ingredients. They even try to out-do each other whilst doing a mock Top Ten chart rundown!

In the blue corner is the juggernaut, Johnnie Walker (his favourite colour) and in the red corner, it's the towering Tony Blackburn. These two heavyweights pull no punches, as they musically battle to become ‘Captain of The Pirates'.

Having both operated outside of the boundaries of traditional broadcasting, both Tony and Johnnie used their freedom of expression to make real names for themselves as the original pirate radio disc jockeys.

Who will be drawing deepest, using their ninja knowledge to rock the boat and turn the beat around? Who will be the champion? One thing's for sure, the music is at its absolute best. There's escape, nostalgia, companionship and of course much laughter, in these unique and joyous 2 hours.

Tony Blackburn and Johnnie Walker musically battle to become 'Captain of The Pirates'!

Across special programmes, we celebrate the life and career of the legendary broadcaster.

Original Pirate DJs and Radio 2 legends, Tony Blackburn and Johnnie Walker pull no punches, as they musically battle and banter to become ‘Captain of The Pirates'.

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Legendary DJ and Radio 2 icon Johnnie Walker chooses his Tracks Of My Years in this omnibus edition.

Johnnie made his name in the 60s with the pirate ship Radio Caroline, and his night-time show was essential listening. When he moved to Radio 1 in 1969 Johnnie established a reputation as a DJ who accorded more importance to the records he played than the chat in between.

After a spell broadcasting in America, Johnnie returned home in the early 80s, and following stints with ILR stations Radio West and Wiltshire Radio in the West Country, he returned to Radio 1 to present 'The Stereo Sequence'. Over 30 years of music fandom was then channelled into Radio 2's Drivetime show which he hosted until March 2006.

Legendary DJ and R2 icon Johnnie Walker chooses his Tracks Of My Years

Across special programmes, we celebrate the life and career of the legendary broadcaster.

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