Legendary broadcaster Johnnie Walker announced earlier this month that he would be stepping down from BBC Radio 2’s The Rock Show and Sounds of the 70s. On Friday, October 25th, he presented The Rock Show for the last time, and today (Sunday, October 27th, from 3-5pm), he hosted his final Sounds of the 70s.
The DJ hosted his final broadcast marking his retirement after 58 years at the BBC.
The BBC radio presenter announced earlier this month that he was retiring due to ill health, having been previously diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Johnnie previously shared his doctor revealed his terminal illness would initially give him two to five years to live, and the five-year mark was this August.
Addressing his departure, Johnnie told listeners on Sunday: “The day has come I’ve always dreaded, really. My last ever radio show. My last ever Sounds of the 70s.
I started presenting the show in April 2009 taking over from Steve Harley, who used to rib me for stealing his show. It was a one-hour show in the evening then, and it expanded.”
During the programme, Johnnie added one last song – Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird – into his famous ‘Johnnie’s Jukebox’ before sealing the jukebox forever.
Throughout the show, he played his own selection of favourite tracks from the decade, including Elton John & Kiki Dee Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Rod Stewart’s – Sailing, Neil Diamond’s – Holy Holy, Simon and Garfunkel – Song For the Asking, David Bowie Starman, and Lou Reed’s Walk On the Wild Side among others.
The Maggie May singer also sent a message to the legendary broadcaster as Rod said: “I have to thank you my man, thank you from the bottom of my heart for playing not only my songs, but The Faces and just about every other rock band in the world on your wonderful show over the years.
By doing so you propelled the careers of a bunch of unknown layabouts to the top of the charts and overnight fame and everything that goes with it. It goes without saying, without your support we never may have got there.
So, if I do manage to get through the Pearly Gates, I’ll have a pint of Guinness, please, mate and guess what, I’ll pick up the tab. See ya later, Johnnie. Rock on mate, rock on.”
Johnnie’s wife, Tiggy, also joined him on the show at one point to talk about Johnnie broadcasting his shows this year, saying: “I just want to say well done for keeping going as long as you have, because you make a lot of people very happy and I know there will be a lot of tears out there today, including mine.”
Johnnie concluded the show with an emotional message to his listeners, saying: “So here we are, the end of a 15 year run on Sunday afternoons, Sounds of the 70s, and 58 years on British radio, and it’s going to be very strange not to be on the wireless anymore but also, by the same token, life will be slightly less of a strain really, trying to find the breath to do programmes.
So thank you for being with me all these years and take good care of yourself and those you love and may we walk into the future with our heads held high and happiness in our hearts. God bless you.”
Shaun Keaveny will be the new presenter of The Rock Show from Friday November 1 and Bob Harris takes over as presenter of Sounds Of The 70s from Sunday November 3.
Listen back to Johnnie’s final Sounds of the 70s here