Johnnie Walker's last radio show now on BBC R2

[casapete]

Johnnie Walker is bowing out from his long radio career today on Radio 2, from 3 - 5pm.

For people of a certain age (like me) Johnnie has been one of THE definitive broadcasters ,

and introduced me to so many bands over the last half century on his shows, including

'The Rock Show' and 'Sounds of the 70s'  along with many others. Always lots of great

musical knowledge and stories about musicians, as well as having that great voice.

 

He's retiring due to ill health, and I hope he manages to enjoy many more years to come.

[Lozz196]

“Whispering” Bob Harris to take over, at least the show will be in the hands of someone who understands it.

[PaulWarning]

43 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

“Whispering” Bob Harris to take over, at least the show will be in the hands of someone who understands it.

but not punk @Lozz196 😂

[Old Man Riva]

I’m sure I recall Johnnie Walker doing the charts in the early 70s on a Tuesday lunchtime on Radio 1 (247MW), with the number one announced at 1pm. He was someone I loved listening to - he seemed cooler than the likes of, say, Tony Blackburn and/or Jimmy Young - even as a kid I thought their props a bit naff (anyone remember Blackburn’s barking dog, Arnold, and or Jimmy Young’s “what’s the recipe today, Jim?”, on his ‘JY Prog’?).

 

There were also Emperor Rosko and Stuart Henry (“alright, m’friends”) who both stood out as being a bit different.

 

I didn’t really catch much of Johnnie Walker’s more recent time on the airwaves, but when I did hear him he still had that fabulously cool radio delivery, and not a barking Alsatian anywhere to be heard!

[ezbass]

51 minutes ago, Old Man Riva said:

anyone remember Blackburn’s barking dog, Arnold, and or Jimmy Young’s “what’s the recipe today, Jim?”

Sadly, yes  

[ezbass]

Having Bob Harris take over isn’t exactly thinking of the future, the whispering one is 78.

[casapete]

1 hour ago, Old Man Riva said:

I’m sure I recall Johnnie Walker doing the charts in the early 70s on a Tuesday lunchtime on Radio 1 (247MW), with the number one announced at 1pm. He was someone I loved listening to - he seemed cooler than the likes of, say, Tony Blackburn and/or Jimmy Young - even as a kid I thought their props a bit naff (anyone remember Blackburn’s barking dog, Arnold, and or Jimmy Young’s “what’s the recipe today, Jim?”, on his ‘JY Prog’?).

 

There were also Emperor Rosko and Stuart Henry (“alright, m’friends”) who both stood out as being a bit different.

 

I didn’t really catch much of Johnnie Walker’s more recent time on the airwaves, but when I did hear him he still had that fabulously cool radio delivery, and not a barking Alsatian anywhere to be heard!

I remember listening to the Tuesday chart rundown at school in the lunch hour! 
Johnnie was all about the music ( no gimmicks etc) right through his 58 years of broadcasting. 

[MacDaddy]

16 hours ago, PaulWarning said:

but not punk @Lozz196 😂

 

Mock rock.

[Mickeyboro]

The BBC should have given Johnnie Sounds of the 60s - where his heart lay - and Tom Robinson the 70s. Bob is good but not the right man.

[Lozz196]

18 hours ago, PaulWarning said:

but not punk @Lozz196 😂

Yeah I think Vicious Sidney put him off a bit 

[Supernaut]

16 hours ago, ezbass said:

Having Bob Harris take over isn’t exactly thinking of the future, the whispering one is 78.

It's a lose-lose situation. Look what happens when someone under 50 is put in has a replacement. Mouldy oldies lose it! 😂

[BlueMoon]

He was one of the better DJ’s from my younger years.

 

He went up in my estimation when he declared on air that the Bay City Rollers were rubbish. https://jive95.com/johnnie_walker_interview_07.htm

[casapete]

9 minutes ago, BlueMoon said:

He was one of the better DJ’s from my younger years.

 

He went up in my estimation when he declared on air that the Bay City Rollers were rubbish. https://jive95.com/johnnie_walker_interview_07.htm

Johnnie certainly had a colourful career - from Radio Caroline (somewhat ironically) to BBC Radio 1, then

leaving for California when he was told not to play any album tracks on his show, only to return years 

later to the BBC subsequently getting temporarily suspended over a cocaine scandal in 1999. 😧
 

[2pods]

I remember when he first left the Beeb.

We skidged school at my mate's house to hear his last show in it's entirety.

He finished up with "Going to California" by Zep, as that was where he was bound.

 

 

I loved when he returned.

I can't remember the title of his book, but that was a good read

[PaulWarning]

2 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Yeah I think Vicious Sidney put him off a bit 

well Sid certainly didn't help, the aborted attack, which was inexcusable but typical Sid, was probably because Bob was resisting having Punk bands on the Old Grey Whistle Test, which is why he got replaced by Richard Williams

[casapete]

1 hour ago, PaulWarning said:

well Sid certainly didn't help, the aborted attack, which was inexcusable but typical Sid, was probably because Bob was resisting having Punk bands on the Old Grey Whistle Test, which is why he got replaced by Richard Williams

I think Bob was replaced by Annie Nightingale, and then Mark Ellen and David Hepworth after her. 
Richard Skinner also presented OGWT, not sure when though - possibly towards the end of it’s run. 

[PaulWarning]

12 minutes ago, casapete said:

I think Bob was replaced by Annie Nightingale, and then Mark Ellen and David Hepworth after her. 
Richard Skinner also presented OGWT, not sure when though - possibly towards the end of it’s run. 

my mistakes I was thinking of Richard Skinner who like you say came a little bit later, anyway Whispering Bob didn't like punk, after all punk was invented as an antidote for the over indulgence of Prog Rock and 20minute guitar and drum solo's

[casapete]

2 minutes ago, PaulWarning said:

after all punk was invented as an antidote for the over indulgence of Prog Rock and 20minute guitar and drum solo's

Amen to that! 😆