From pirate radio to Buckingham Palace and an MBE, Johnnie Walker's autobiography is a frank account of his ascent to the ranks of broadcasting's top tier.
In this programme, produced in association with the Ilkley Literature Festival, Johnnie talks about his life on the ocean wave and answers questions from the theatre audience about changing times at Radio 2.
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They say that if you remember the Sixties, you weren't really there… Johnnie Walker is the exception.
Equally passionate about music and good broadcasting, he was at the epicentre of the 60s music scene – his was the defiant voice that Radio Caroline listeners heard as the government of the day tried to sink it.
Johnnie was born Peter Dingle in Birmingham, in 1945. After early work as a car salesman he talked his way into a job onboard the short-lived pirate station Swingin' Radio England.
When that looked like it was about to sink he jumped ship and landed aboard the far more successful Caroline South, anchored off the Essex coast.
In the 1970s he moved to Radio 1 - he called it the enemy - before falling out with his bosses and upping sticks to San Fransisco.
He hosted Radio 2's drivetime show before and after his fight with cancer, and is currently to be heard on that station at weekends.
He was awarded the MBE for services to broadcasting in 2006.
His book, The Autobiography, is published by Michael Joseph at £18.99. The Ilkley Literature Festival's website is at www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk.