Johnnie was born on 30th March 1945, at Hampton in Arden, near Birmingham. When he left Solihull public school, he took a job as a car salesman and worked as a disco deejay, under the name Peter Dee -his real name was Peter Dingley. When Radio England started in May 1966, he was taken on as a disc jockey, but had to change his name – he chose “Johnnie Walker” from a tape of American radio promo’s and jingles.

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Later, in October that year, he moved over to Radio Caroline’s South ship, and was soon presenting the nine to midnight show. Among the features in his show were the “Kiss in the Car” spot and “Frinton flashing”.

He championed soul music, that at the time was getting little promotion, with records from Motown, Stax and Atlantic. He was president of the latters appreciation society. Uptight n’Outsight.

With the British Marine Offences Act coming into law at midnight on August 14th 1967, all the other offshore stations closed down beforehand. Only Radio Caroline decided to defy the law and continue. At midnight, as the clocks hands moved forward into the 15th August, Radio Caroline began a new chapter, Johnnie Walker and fellow deejay Robbie Dale became illegal aliens, and faced a prison sentence if they returned to the British Isles.

With Radio Caroline forced off the air in March 1968, Johnnie took a job with BBC Radio One, a year later.

Despite success there he was unhappy and left for the USA in 1976, and a job with KSAN San Francisco, also taping shows for airplay on Radio Luxembourg.

He returned to England In 1981, and spells with Radio West and GWR, before going back to BBC Radio One, and then to Virgin Radio’s nightly syndication service, and on to BBC London local station GLR.
In 1990, still with the BBC a job with their new Radio 5 service, then back to Radio One and Radio Two.

In 1997, Johnnie Walker was a guest at France Radio Club’s Euroradio 1997, along with Caroline founder Ronan O’Rahilly. Johnnie said that…

I’d like to bring it up to now, to 1997, rather than about the past if I may. There are many people in England who are critical of people such as yourselves, who are interested in Radio Caroline and the 1960’s, and they are saying why are you interested 30 years on down? For me what happened in 1967 was just a small way of showing it is people who are important. We were just talking outside, and Ronan said he had some advice from Alain Delon saying “the individual cannot fight the state, because you cannot win” My answer to that was, it was not the state or politicians that pulled down the Berlin wall, or freed Nelson Mandela, it was people. So the important thing for all of us for the future, is to realise that one person can make a difference. Radio Caroline in 1967, August 14th was individuals standing up for something they felt to be right and something they believed in, refusing to bow down to the government, saying you must not do that. The principle is as important today as it was in 1967. The most important power we had, was the power of love. Regardless of the strength of the opposition, love is the most powerful force on the planet. That is why at midnight August 14th 1967, when Ronan heard me speak, that Radio Caroline alone had the courage to defy the British government. The most important words I said, were that Caroline loves you and will continue.

AWARDS
At the Sony Radio awards in May 2004, Elton John presented Johnnie with a Gold award marking his outstanding contribution to radio.

The following year, in December, he was inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame, and in the New Year honours of 2006, he was awarded an MBE.

Johnnie continued to present a show on BBC Radio Two, and took part in the “Pirate” BBC Essex broadcasts in 2007 and 2009.

In mid-2024, it was revealed that Johnnie was suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that sees the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult. He needed round the clock care, was wheelchair bound and reliant on an oxygen machine. His main carer was his wife Tiggy.
Despite this condition, Johnnie continued to present his BBC Sounds of the 70’s and The Rock Show on BBC radio, from his home in Dorset until the end of October. Johnnie Walker sadly passed away on 31 December 2024, aged 79.

Special OEM tribute in issue 219 March 2025