Johnnie Walker, the veteran British DJ who has spent nearly six decades on the airwaves, officially signed off his final episode of Sounds of the 70s on BBC Radio 2. Walker, now 79, announced his retirement earlier in the month, attributing it to health issues related to his diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a severe respiratory disease that has frequently required him to broadcast from his Dorset home.
Reflecting on his expansive career, Walker shared candid views on the current state of radio broadcasting. “It always used to be: you learned your radio craft,” he remarked, lamenting what he perceives as a shift from craft-driven progression to celebrity-driven programming. “Because you’re good on TV doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to be good on the radio, but that’s the way it is. We’re in the age of celebrity.”
Walker’s journey in broadcasting began in pirate radio, where he gained attention on Radio Caroline, the offshore station famed for its rebellious spirit in the 1960s. He joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969, quickly establishing himself as a trusted voice for music fans. After a stint in San Francisco in the 1970s, he returned to the BBC in the 1980s, maintaining his influential role in British radio for the rest of his career.
In a farewell interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Walker expressed sadness about saying goodbye to his loyal audience, with whom he felt a “very close bond.” “Over the years, we’ve done an awful lot of living together,” he said. “I get cards from people saying: ‘You’re the friend I’ve never met.’”
Walker’s final Sounds of the 70s episode deviated from the usual listener requests, instead featuring his personal favorites, giving long-time fans a glimpse into the music that has shaped his life and career. Last Friday, Walker also hosted his final episode of The Rock Show, closing with some of his favorite rock classics. In closing, he thanked his producer, Liz “Queen of Rock” Barnes, for her dedication to creating a dynamic blend of both old and new songs, saying, “She has put in so much work, and I know you’ve appreciated the old and the new together.”
Walker’s legacy is set to be carried forward by Shaun Keaveny, who will take the reins on The Rock Show starting November 1.