MusicBox - Jonnie Walker - From Pirate to Pioneer

MusicBox - Jonnie Walker - From Pirate to Pioneer

Jan, 7 2025


Whilst the revellers were out in force on New Years Eve at the end of last year, the party was over for one treasured radio DJ.

This is the moment the news broke in which features an emotional Bob Harris announcing the death of Johnnie Walker live on BBC Radio 2 –

Almost 60 years as broadcaster and a true pioneer for music both in the old days for pirate radio and his time at the BBC fronting Sounds of the 70s and The Radio 2 Rock Show.

Jonnie always had an interest in music, however he was originally going to go down the path of motoring.  He worked as a garage manager's apprentice, studied for a City and Guilds qualification in motor mechanics at Gloucester Technical College, and aspired to be a car salesman, before becoming a DJ in bars and ballrooms. That’s when he realised he had a natural gift for introducing bands and artists.

It was during his time at pirate radio where he really cut his teeth and began to learn the basics of broadcasting. After a couple of years here in the late 60s he was ready to make the big move to national radio stations which is where his tenure at the BBC began.

In the late 70’s he worked in America for five years for a series of radio stations. Knowing he had a different audience gave Jonnie the freedom to create more diverse radio programmes.

For the next 20 years Jonnie –

  • Worked in local radio
  • Returned to Radio 1
  • Worked on BBC GLR and BBC Radio 5
  • Started his time at Radio 2

In the late 90’s he became a firm fixture on Radio 2, presenting a number of programmes and giving listeners the ‘Walker’ twist on every show.

By June 2003 he announced on the radio he was suffering from cancer. He received treatment and thanked his listeners for their loyal support.

He was made an MBE in the 2006 New Year Honours.

Jonnie continued to prepare and present shows on Radio 2 from 2007 – 2024. 2009 was a special year for Jonnie as he was part of "Pirate BBC Essex" programmes to celebrate 45 years since the launch of Radio Caroline.

Subsequently, he began a new ten-week series called Pirate Johnnie Walker on BBC Radio 2. This show recreated the sounds of pirate radio from the 1960s and included other Pirate DJs from the era as guests.

By October 2024, Jonnie stepped down from broadcasting due to ill health. His successor, Bob Harris now presents ‘Sounds of the 70’s’. For a full listing schedule, simply visit the following website link –

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b00jlwqd

Aside from broadcasting, Walker and his wife Tiggy got involved in philanthropic work with Carers UK, having both been at the hand of cancer in their lives.

But it was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an inflammation of the lungs that killed him to his final days. His widow Tiggy had these concluding words to say,

"He remained his charming, humorous self to the end, what a strong amazing man. It has been a rollercoaster ride from start to finish," she commented and added: "And if I may say – what a day to go. He'll be celebrating New Year's Eve with a stash of great musicians in heaven. One year on from his last live show. God bless that extraordinary husband of mine who is now in a place of peace."

Jonnie Walker – A true legend of the airwaves:-30/03/45-31/12/24.

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger