Johnnie Walker's show comes to The Elgiva (From Ealing Times)

Johnnie Walker's show comes to The Elgiva

12:46pm Friday 20th August 2010 in

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JOHNNIE Walker may have been behind the mic at some of Britain's most popular radio stations for over four decades, but it's still possible to make him nervous.

The popular DJ kicks off his latest Musical Milestones tour next month with a first-ever visit to Chesham's Elgiva Theatre.

The idea for his tours stemmed from Q&A sessions the veteran broadcaster took part in at festivals, where he would face questions from an interviewer.

“One of them said, 'You could do this on your own', and that's how it grew,” said Johnnie, who has been on the airwaves since 1966.

“The idea was quite nerve-wracking to begin with. The first time I did it there was enough pressure in itself, but my mother-in-law was in the audience!

“But she seemed to like it, the audience liked it, so we booked other dates.”

He added: “I really like the idea of going on tour – it makes me feel like a rock star.”

Throughout the tour, Johnnie speaks of his musical memories of time at BBC Radio 1 and 2 and, before that, on the airwaves of pirate radio station, Radio Caroline – while playing bits of records that have been “significant” to him throughout his life.

Part two of the show consists of a question and answer session: “It's a bit more lively because people have had a drink by then,” he says.

Having been in showbusiness for so many years, Johnnie has seen a few changes behind the scenes.

“Technology has changed a lot,” he says. “I remember seeing Chris Tarrant when he first started on Radio 2, and he looked really nervous. He'd been doing radio for years and years, but it was so different to what he was used to. These days, you don't even pick up a CD.”

As you ponder the mental image of a nervous Chris Tarrant, Johnnie continues: “I really like vinyl. It was more work, but it was reassuring just to look down at the turntable and see how far it's got to the end.

“The record was more than the sound – there was the artwork and the sleeve it came in. That's been the biggest change.”

The other key change is the feedback he gets from listeners, he says.

“When I was on the pirate stations, it would take four days from the moment a letter was posted to me opening it,” he said.“These days you get so much feedback from people.

“I do prefer that, actually. It's better for the listener, being a part of the show. They come up with fantastic ideas that you wouldn't think of.”

Yet despite the changes, he doesn't foresee the downfall of radio any time soon: “If anything it seems to be getting stronger and stronger.”

So what is it about music that keeps people listening to the radio?

“The amazing thing about music is it brings back the memories. I can play a track and you can see the memories coming back in the faces.”

* Johnnie Walker's Musical Milestones is at the Elgiva on Wednesday September 15. Call the Box Office on 01494 582900 for ticket details.