THE fifth night of this year's Bewdley Festival saw DJ Johnnie Walker take the stage at the Ramada Hotel.

To an enthusiastic and attentive audience he presented his life story, illustrated with photographs and snatches of records that had featured at various moments in his career.

He traced his life from a middle class childhood in Birmingham and Solihull, the starting of a career as a car salesman and his decision that his future lay in trying to become a DJ.

Jobs with Radios England and Caroline were followed by times with the BBC, a period in America and then back in England.

Stories from these times included his views on the Bay City Rollers and other groups, fellow DJs and his great interest in cars and motor bikes.

He rather skirted round his first marriage and was brief about his later “drug problem” but he talked frankly, in a matter of fact and optimistic way, about his finding he had cancer just after his second marriage and his treatment for the disease.

All in all a terrific evening with a charming and genuine master of his profession.

By J.A.S.