Birmingham-born DJ Johnnie Walker has died at the age of 79. Walker’s death was announced on air by his friend and colleague, BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris, who took over presenting Sounds of the 70s in November.
Radio veteran Walker was born in Birmingham and left school at the age of 15 to train to become a mechanic, later taking a job as a car salesman. He found an outlet for his passion for music with a Friday night slot as a disco DJ under the name Peter Dee.
He later earned a reputation as a DJ who accorded more importance to the records than the chat between tracks, with names he pioneered including Lou Reed, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles. After his death on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31, his wife Tiggy said “what a day to go” as she paid an emotive tribute to her husband.
She said: “I couldn’t be more proud of Johnnie – how he kept broadcasting almost to the end and with what dignity and grace he coped with his debilitating lung disease. He remained his charming, humorous self to the end, what a strong, amazing man. It has been a rollercoaster ride from start to finish.
“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.”