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Former Radio England and Caroline South DJ, Johnnie Walker has died

DATELINE   31st December 2024

Legendary offshore radio DJ, Johnnie Walker, has died after a long illness.

Johnnie began his radio career in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, before moving to Radio Caroline South, becoming a household name by hosting the hugely popular night-time show. When the Marine etc Broadcasting (Offences) Act came into force on 15th August 1967Johnnie (with fellow DJ Robbie Dale) decided to  defy the new law and stayed with Radio Caroline. Their programme at midnight on 14th August 1967, as the Act became law, probably had the largest offshore radio audience ever.

He  shared the duties of Programme Controller and Senior DJ for the South ship with Robbie Dale until the station was taken off the air in March 1968.

Johnnie joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969 continuing until 1976 and establishing a reputation as a DJ who prioritised records above chat. On his lunchtime show, which launched in 1971, he pioneered new names like Steve Harley, Lou Reed, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and Steely Dan.

Following his departure from Radio 1, he moved to KSAN in San Francisco in 1976, where he also recorded a weekly show for broadcast on Radio Luxembourg.

Johnnie returned to Britain in the early 1980s, and following stints with Independent Local Radio (ILR) Radio West and Wiltshire Radio in the West Country, he returned to Radio 1 to present The Stereo Sequence in 1987. In the following years, he also presented shows on the new local station BBC GLR and on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Johnnie then joined Radio 2 in 1997, presenting documentaries and standing in for other DJs presenting shows across the station as well as his own Saturday afternoon show from 1998. He also hosted Radio 2’s Drivetime show from 1999.

In June 2003, Johnnie broke the news to his listeners that he had cancer, and would be taking a break from presenting his show. He returned in March 2004.

Johnnie left Radio 2 Drivetime in 2006 to present a new Sunday show on the station, whilst also standing in for Terry Wogan on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, and presenting various special programmes. That same year he was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to Broadcasting. From April 2009 Johnnie  presented Sounds of the 70s and in 2018 he launched The Rock Show.

Johnnie retired from Radio 2 in October 2024 because of ill health, suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, and he sadly died on 31st December 2024

 (Additional information  The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame)

‘Fight for Freedom’ speech by Johnnie Walker, broadcast in September 1967, shortly after the Marine etc Broadcasting (Offences) Act had come into force.