Broadcast History - October 28

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We interrupt our normal programming to honour the passing of one of the greatest Top 40 DJs of all time. Probably best known to those in the Pacific Northwest, on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border, because of his work in Seattle radio, Bwana Johnny was also a household word in other major U.S. markets. He was only 56 years old when he passed away on October 28, 2005, of congestive heart failure.

Even if you don't have a reelradio subscription and cannot hear the airchecks, there is plenty of great reading and photos at http://www.reelradio.com/wwdj. The page is dedicated to a great Top 40 experiment in New York City, WWDJ (Hacksensack, New Jersey), that did everything right, but failed because of a lousy signal. From even a cursory read, it becomes clear very quickly that Bwana Johnny was the star of that station.

Born Richard (Rick) Johnson, Bwana Johnny spent several stints at KJR Seattle. Including one doing all nights as Father Duffy, a name given him by Pat O'Day. He was Crazy Dick Simms at KISN Portland in 1975-76. But mostly, he was Bwana Johnny.



Bwana Johnny 1972 and 1988 Airchecks Click Here