“I’ll miss you a lot” Johnnie Walker hosts his last show on BBC Radio 2 with Tiggy as his special guest
Johnnie Walker has wrapped up his final show on BBC Radio 2, expressing that it will feel quite unusual not to be on the airwaves anymore.
In his last episode of Sounds of the 70s, he addressed his audience, saying: “Whether you’ve been tuning in to the old JW for a long time or just a little while, we’ve truly enjoyed creating Sounds of the 70s together.”
It truly evolved into what felt like a Sunday Afternoon Club. I always sensed that many folks were busy getting ready for their Sunday roast, perhaps uncorking a bottle of wine. Others were out tending to their gardens, tinkering around in the shed, or taking care of their ironing.
I really enjoyed those Sunday afternoons we shared, and it's going to feel odd for me next Sunday at 3 o'clock knowing I won't be talking to you. Instead, Bob Harris will take over with Sounds of the 70s. I'm definitely going to miss you a lot! It has been wonderful to connect over all these years—we’ve experienced so much together.
He wrapped up the show with this message: "Well, here we are at the conclusion of 15 wonderful years on Sunday afternoons with Sounds of the 70s, and after 58 years on British radio, it’s going to feel quite odd not being on the air anymore. On the flip side, life will be a bit easier without the pressure of finding the energy to create new shows."
"I really appreciate you being by my side all these years. Please take care of yourself and the people you care about. Let's look to the future with confidence and joy. Wishing you all the best!"
Rod Stewart reached out with a heartfelt message for Johnnie. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “I want to sincerely thank you for playing my music, along with tracks from The Faces and nearly every other rock band out there, on your amazing show throughout the years.”
"Thanks to your help, you helped a group of ordinary people rise to the top of the charts and gain instant fame along with all its perks. It's clear that without your support, we might have never reached this point. So, if I do make it to the Pearly Gates, I’d love a pint of Guinness, my friend, and I’ll gladly cover the bill. Catch you later, Johnnie. Keep rocking, my friend!"
At one point, his wife Tiggy came on the show to discuss Johnnie's broadcasting efforts this year. She expressed her admiration, saying, “I just want to congratulate you for persevering for so long. You bring a lot of joy to many people, and I know today will bring a lot of tears, including my own.”
Johnnie responded, "I might also contribute a couple myself. I really appreciate your kind words and all the amazing support you've given me. I definitely wouldn't have been able to pull off this show without it, so I'm truly grateful."
During the program, Johnnie included one final track – Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Free Bird" – into his iconic ‘Johnnie’s Jukebox’ before permanently closing it. Throughout the episode, he shared a selection of his favorite songs from the decade, featuring hits like "Don’t Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John and Kiki Dee, Rod Stewart’s "Sailing," Neil Diamond’s "Holy Holy," Simon and Garfunkel’s "Song For the Asking," David Bowie’s "Starman," Lou Reed’s "Walk On the Wild Side," The Skids’ "Into the Valley," The Rolling Stones’ "It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (but I like it)," and Johnny Nash’s "I Can See Clearly Now." To wrap up the show, he played Judy Collins' rendition of "Amazing Grace."
Shaun Keaveny is set to become the new host of The Rock Show starting on Friday, November 1st, while Bob Harris will step in as the presenter of Sounds Of The 70s beginning Sunday, November 3rd.
You can revisit Johnnie's last episode of Sounds of the 70s by clicking here.
It's time to shine! I'm thrilled to have a special guest with me... @TiggyWalker, @lizziebarn, @Dr_Paul_Thomas, and @BBCRadio2. #SOT70s #goodbye
— Johnnie Walker (@piratejw) October 27, 2024
Radiodays Europe will take place in March 2025. Use the code RTY25ATH for a discount and come join us in Athens! Read more…
