Legendary BBC DJ Johnnie Walker Dies at 79

Legendary BBC DJ Johnnie Walker, known for his work on Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show, passed away at the age of 79 after battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Walker began his career in 1966 on offshore pirate station Swinging Radio England and became a household name on Radio Caroline before joining BBC Radio 1 in 1969. He retired in October 2024 due to ill health, leaving a legacy as a pop radio pioneer and champion of great music. Tributes poured in from colleagues and fans, with BBC Director General Tim Davie and Walker's wife Tiggy expressing their pride and admiration. His condition, IPF, is a terminal lung disease causing scarring and difficulty breathing, with no cure currently available. Walker's influence on radio and his passion for music have left a lasting impact on the industry and its listeners.