The Guardian July 31 Broadcaster John Walters dies

[Tom Roche]

Subject: MediaGuardian.co.uk | Special reports | Broadcaster John Walters dies
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                            Guardian Unlimited 
   


   
   Broadcaster John Walters dies

   By Claire Cozens
   The Guardian

   Tuesday July 31, 2001

   John Walters, John Peel's award-winning former BBC radio producer and
   broadcaster, has died suddenly at the age of 63.
   
   Walters began his broadcasting career on Radio 1 in 1967 and was best
   known as the producer of Peel's groundbreaking music show, Top Gear.
   
   He also presented a number of shows on BBC radio himself, including
   Walters' Weekly on Radio 1 and Idle Thoughts on Radio 4.
   
   Walters was also a trumpeter with the Alan Price Set, who once played
   on the same bill as the Beatles. He retired from the BBC in 1991.
   
   Helen Boaden, the controller of Radio 4, today paid tribute to the
   broadcaster.
   
   "John Walters was a wry and witty broadcaster of immense experience.
   We shall miss him," she said.
   
   Walters took a degree in Fine Arts at Durham, and as a student
   exhibited his paintings beside those of David Hockney.
   
   He then reviewed records for the Newcastle Journal and lectured in
   jazz history at evening classes.
   
   Soon afterwards he joined the Alan Price Set and spent four years on
   the road in the 60s, during which time he played at the Albert Hall
   and the Paris Olympia.
   
   Walters teamed up with Peel for Top Gear in 1969, a partnership that
   lasted 12 years.
   
   He was also an occasional broadcaster on Start the Week and wrote pop
   columns for ZigZag and Honey.


   
   MediaGuardian.co.uk special report
   The BBC
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