Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
Popular radio host Johnnie Walkerthe former pirate radio DJ who started his career at the BBC in 1969 has died aged 79.
The veteran DJ was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and announced his retirement from radioafter a career of almost 60 years, in October 2024.
His wife Tiggy Walker said she “couldn’t be more proud” of her husband and “how he kept on broadcasting almost until the end”. She praised the “dignity and grace [with which] coped with his debilitating lung disease”.
“He remained his charming, witty self to the end, what a strong, amazing man. It was a rollercoaster ride from start to finish,” she said in a statement.
“And if I may say – what a day. He will welcome the New Year with a host of great musicians in heaven. A year after his last live show. God bless that wonderful husband of mine who is now at peace.”
BBC director-general Tim Davie described Walker as “a pioneer of pop radio and a champion of great music”, adding: “No one loved the audience as much as Johnny, and we gave him back”.
Walker was previously diagnosed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a condition in which “the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes difficult”.
The NHS says it is not clear what causes the condition and that while treatments can reduce the rate of deterioration, there is nothing that can stop or reverse lung scarring.
Born in Birmingham, Walker began his radio career in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, an offshore pirate station, before moving to Radio Caroline, where he rose to prominence as host of a popular late-night show. He continued in defiance of a government law, introduced in 1967, against unlicensed broadcasters.
Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after a free trial period. Schedule automatic renewal until it is canceled
Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after a free trial period. Schedule automatic renewal until it is canceled
Speaking of MV My friend when the law went into effect, he said Radio Times: “It was such an emotional time… I was scared to death.
“I was excited, excited. It was simply amazing. I knew the moment the other hand passed 12, that if I said one word I would be a criminal, liable to prosecution for the next two years, living in exile in the Netherlands. It was a big moment.”
He plucked up the courage to play “We Shall Overcome” and The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” after telling listeners: “This is Radio Caroline: it’s 12 midnight.”
Radio Caroline served as the inspiration for the 2009 Richard Curtis film The rocking boatwhich starred an ensemble cast including Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Kenneth Branagh and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Hoffman’s character The Count was based on one of Walker’s fellow Radio Carolina alumni, American DJ Michael Joseph Pasternak – who performed under the name Tsar Rosko – while Walker himself served as a consultant on the film.
Walker interviewed Pasternak for a BBC special in 2009, where they recreated the era of pirate radio using jingles, commercials and music from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s.
When Radio Caroline closed, Walker joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969 and remained there until 1976, when he was involved in a dispute with BBC management over the music he played.
He was also reprimanded for the criticism Bay City Rollers the song “Give me some love”, which he described as “musical trash”.
However, in 2015 the BBC sided with Walker after a listener complained that he had not played a single Bay City Rollers song in more than 310 Radio 2 shows and accused him of being “anti-Scottish”.
BBC Audience Services admitted that Walker “made no secret” of his “bad opinion and dislike” of the band, hailed by a listener as “Scottish’s answer to The Beatles”, but said his job was to play classic songs that he considered his audience. would “enjoy the most”.
It adds that the show is named after Walker and “reflects his taste”.
After a dispute with management in 1976, Walker moved to San Francisco to record a weekly show for Radio Luxembourg, while also working for local stations KSAN, WHFS in Bethesda, Maryland, and KPFA in Berkeley, California.
He returned to the BBC in the late 1980s and remained there until his retirement in 2024. In 1990 he was sacked from the then fledgling local station BBC GLR for remarking that people would “dance in the street” over Margaret’s resignation. Thatcher as Prime Minister of Great Britain.
His last episode The Rock Show aired on Friday 25 October between 11pm and midnight, while his last Sounds of the 70s show aired on Sunday, October 27 between 3 and 5 p.m.
Walker was replaced Sounds of the 70s by ex The old gray whistle test host Bob Harris, while Shaun Keaveny took over the presenting duties The Rock Show from November 1.
“I am proud and honored to be taking over the institution of BBC Radio 2 from a true broadcasting giant,” Harris said of his new role at the time.
“Johnnie and I have been friends since my presenting years The Old Gray Whistle Test and the original Sounds of the 70sand I will do everything I can to live up to his legacy and curate a program featuring the best music from that incredible decade.”
In announcing his retirement on Oct. 6, Walker read a letter from a listener whose father loved him Sounds of the 70s show, but died in 2022 from the same condition Walker suffered from (IPF).
“Now, that brings me to a very sad announcement,” he told listeners. “The struggle I had with running the show and trying to maintain a professional standard became more and more difficult … so I made the decision that I had to bring my career to an end after 58 years.
“I’m going to make the last three shows as good as possible.”
Walker remained optimistic despite his diagnosis, revealing ua Daily Mail interview that he had an “unshakable belief in the afterlife”.
“I think it’s a beautiful place,” he said. “Unless you’ve done some horrible things down here, I don’t think you have anything to fear.”
Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, said: “Everyone at Radio 2 is heartbroken by the death of Johnny, a much-loved broadcasting legend.
“He made it Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show listening sessions, sharing their personal memories and stories each week. He loved radio and inspired a generation of presenters, passionately promoting the artists and music he cared so deeply about.
“Johnnie’s wry sense of humor and his warm, open presentation style ensured that audiences adored him. The waves just won’t be the same. He will be sorely missed by Radio 2 presenters, staff and listeners, and our thoughts are with his wife Tigi and his children.”
Towards the end of his life, Walker used a wheelchair and relied on oxygen from a machine. He was cared for by his wife Tiggy of more than two decades.