RIP Johnnie Walker
Station Manager Peter Moore pays tribute to the legendary broadcaster
Many decades ago, when Caroline was not doing much of anything, I first met Johnnie Walker. I was in awe of a Radio Caroline hero and top flight broadcaster, expecting an arrogant prima donna, but found a kindly and humble man, who put me at ease by saying that while he could not actually hear Caroline (few people could at the time), he liked to know that we were out there somewhere..
Johnnie at the controls in the 1960s
He helped set up our very first and very basic web site, but took no prisoners, telling a brash young web designer that if he could not, would not, do as we wished that he ought to just 'go away' so we could hire someone else. Those were not his actual words.
Later when all we had were one-month broadcasts with a tiny range, which we took so very seriously, he turned up on a splendid Harley Davidson with an equally splendid girlfriend and offered to broadcast for us. When the difference between broadcasting from the high seas as opposed to a calm river was pointed out he merely said, "Well, it's the same water".
He turned up again when Ross Revenge was in London Docklands and also when Merlin Communications used all of their SW capacity to broadcast Caroline to the entire planet. When we briefly shared an interview on Sky and then on the Radio 4 Today programme, he called me on the way home to say that I had a fine way with words, which was high praise that I did not deserve, and suggesting that we might arrange a weekend visit to his home. This did not work out, as much as I hoped it might.
Most recently, when Ray Clark contacted Radio 2 seeking permission to relay his last Sunday show, Johnnie offered instead to record us a personal message.
I rather hoped, naively I am afraid and not understanding the nature of his illness, that he might rally and broadcast on Caroline again but it was not to be.
Farewell Johnnie and thanks, in many ways.
Peter Moore
Listen again to Johnnie Walker's last broadcast
You can listen to Johnnie Walker's personal message to Radio Caroline listeners – his last ever broadcast
As a special tribute to Johnnie in this week's Caroline Archive Hour on Caroline Flashback, we'll be playing a newly restored high quality two hour recording of Johnnie from the night that no man will ever forget – August 14th, 1967. That's at 8pm on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th January on Caroline Flashback, repeated from 4-6pm on Tuesday 7th.
Rest in peace, Johnnie.
Johnnie Walker picture by Sheridon Street
