Radio England publicity photo
Johnnie's first radio job was presenting the marathon midnight to
six show on “Swinging” Radio England.
 Johnnie explaining why he has
been a day late returning to the ship (duration 54 seconds)
Photo from ‘Who's Who In Pop Radio’ published by New English Library
“Swinging” Radio England had the most complicated news bulletins
ever heard on British radio. The presenter had to juggle jingles, bursts of echo and sound
effects while reading the stories.
Johnnie reading
the news “in the public interest” (duration 1 minute 43 seconds)
Photo courtesy of Raoul Verolleman
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Photo from ‘Disc’ magazine
In October 1966, Johnnie joined Radio Caroline South. Before getting his
own show, he covered for whoever was on shore-leave.
Johnnie sitting in for Keith
Hampshire on Keefers' Uprising on 15th December 1966 (duration 1 minute 59
seconds)
Reading the fan mail. Photo from the Daily Sketch
For most Caroline South listeners, it is Johnnie's 9pm-midnight
show with its familiar Duane Eddy theme that holds special memories.
Johnnie starting a
Saturday night show (duration 1 minute 44 seconds)
As well as playing the hits, Johnnie championed many of the new soul singers
that were then emerging and, in particular, Otis Redding.
Johnnie's
‘Ten O'Clock Turn-On’ featuring Otis Redding (duration 1 minute 9 seconds)
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Photo courtesy of George Morris
On 15th August 1967 the Marine Offences Act became law on mainland Britain. On Caroline
South most of the disc-jockeys left on the 14th rather than risk prosecution. Just
Robbie Dale, Ross Brown and Johnnie
Walker remained. It was Johnnie who took the station into the new era at midnight.
Johnnie thanking
Prime Minister Harold Wilson in the first few minutes of 15th August 1967 (duration 1 minute
35 seconds)
Photo from ‘Beatwave’ magazine
One night in 1967 Johnnie recorded a declaration of his faith
in Radio Caroline over the B-side of the US hit The Ballad Of The Green Berets. It
became known as Man's Fight For Freedom:
the beginning is in the past, the middle is now and the end is in the future (duration 2
minutes 40 seconds)
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