"The true genius of Room 318, the philosopher, the creative force, the cultural prism, the inspiration, the social historian and agitator, and the genuine soul rebel behind (Peel's) achievement, was John Walters.....Without Walters, the national treasure that Peel became would not have existed." (Andy Kershaw, No Off Switch, Virgin Books 2012, p. 257)

John Peel's producer from 1969 to 1991. Born Long Eaton, Derbyshire 11 July 1939; married 1966 Helen Gallagher; died Oxted, Surrey 30 July 2001.

Originally trumpet player for the Alan Price Set, Walters joined Radio One in 1967, becoming Peel's producer two years later. He also produced Radio Flashes, when Peel was on holiday, which featured stand in hosts Viviain Stanshall and Keith Moon.

Walters later became a broadcaster in his own right. appearing on the likes of Start The Week and Woman's Hour. He had his own Radio 1 series called Walters Weekly and another Radio 4 series, Idle Thoughts. Other appearances included BBC TV's Northern Lights and in 1990 he had a Radio 4 series called Largely Walters. Walters Beside The Seaside took a dryly laconic look at the traditional British holiday.

Peel said of him before he died, "Walters is sustained in his retirement by his determination to deliver the eulogy at my funeral. This will be unbelievably long and more about Walters than me".

See also Edit

• Peeling Back The Years
• 31 July 2001

LinksEdit

• Extracts from first Peel show after Walters death
• BBC News report of his death
• BBC News obituary
• The Independent obituary
• The Guardian obituary
• A collection of Walters Week mp3's to download
• John Walters on Room 101
• Mark E Smith on John Walters
• Walters on Peel's This Is Your Life
• Walters on Room 101 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Trakmarx/ZigZag articlesEdit

• John Walters
• Peel, Walters & Beefheart
• John Walters Column — Peel's Armpits!
• John Walters on Xmas Shopping & The Curse Of The Muso
• John Walters Column — 'Loonies! Don'cha just love'em?
• Complete Zigzag issue 86 - August 1978 to download