Location: Home > Music, Stage & Screen > General > The Autobiography

The Autobiography

Author: Johnnie Walker
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Category: Book

List Price: ~~Ł8.99~~
Buy New: Ł4.17
You Save: Ł4.82 (54%)

New (24) Used (3) from Ł3.89

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

9 reviews
Sales Rank: 29598

Media: Paperback
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 1.2

ISBN: 0141024283
EAN: 9780141024288
ASIN: 0141024283

Publication Date: May 29, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new book sourced directly from the publisher. Delivery in 3-5 days. Customer service 7 days per week

Also Available In:

•	Audio CD - The Autobiography
•	Hardcover - The Autobiography
•	Audio CD - The Autobiography

Similar Items:

•	When Pirates Ruled the Waves
•	Whatever Happened to Simon Dee?: The Story of a Sixties Star: The Rise and Fall of Television's Icarus
•	Ronnie
•	Hymn for My Soul
•	Drivin' With Johnnie Walker Vol.2

Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

The real deal June 17, 2008
I only got really acquainted with JW on the Drivetime Show during my long commute in the early nineties, although I'd heard him sporadically on different stations at various times in the 70's and 80's.

I picked this book up by chance, despite my scepticism of autobiographies by those in the media, because JW always comes across as genuine, honest and ( as an American might say) a `straight shooter'.

I was not disappointed. This was a very enjoyable read.

It filled many of the gaps between those he'd mentioned on air.

It also demonstrates that his intuition, passion for music and willingness to be himself (at all costs!) has paid off through his determination and self-belief.

It's been a rollercoaster ride, but Johnnie's glass is always half-full, and whatever the circumstances, he looks for the positive.

Finally, the photo and his words re: JW at the Palace say it all.

There were tough times, but you get no maudlin thoughts here. But there are some emotional moments, particularly in the recounting of his time on the road with his son, his addiction period, Tiggy's chapter on his cancer, and on leaving R2 .

Overall it's a very touching memoir and comes across as the genuine article. The real deal.

Rock on Johnnie!

5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully honest November 4, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I haven't been a long term fan of Johnnie Walker, having been "introduced" to him only fairly recently.

Like all autobiogs, he speaks of his childhood, and I thought, oh no, its another I'm-messed-up-because-my-mum-never-told-me-she-loved-me story. But no, this is more, as Johnnie takes you on a journey of exploration and discovery and maybe he learnt as much about himself as the reader does.

You may not agree with many of his attitudes and tenets. I certainly didn't, but I quickly realised that he is 100% of what he is - and that is rare in any human being, and despite my thoughts, my feelings are of deep admiration for someone who can truly say that they have lived through it all.

You will laugh and cry in all the right places. He doesn't make the mistake of other biographers by dwelling on influences in his life, which just pad out the pages and make you wonder who this book is about anyway. He sticks with the subject of himself. And you hear the other sides of the stories in the newspapers, viz, the Caroline days, 'Arab prince' affair and the reasons behind his many departures from radio shows. And how the scars, even now, are apparent, after the knocks and the cancer.

I truly love this book.

4 out of 5 stars

Much more than you realise August 4, 2007
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

Having known him only as the voice of Radio 2's Drivetime and in short a bloody good DJ I was amazed at reading the 'real' life of Johnnie Walker. I am a 60s and 70s music and entertainment nut and bought this book on a whim principally to get a new first hand account of that era.

I was pleasently surprised by Johnnie's amazing history. The passages concerning his attempts to gain work in the states are probably the best written. Reading of his treks from state to state with his small son reminded me of a classic Hollywood tearjerker just waiting to be filmed.

Candid, in depth and no holds barred, Johnnie isnt afraid to put his hands up to being a prat at times, unlike some authors who take the autobiog route; and his recollections of drug abuse and his inability to be happy are all honest. Likewise his honesty regarding his beliefs and faiths are also refreshing. His fight with cancer is covered well, largely by his wife Tiggy, I sense for the man himself, this is still to raw to fully confront.

If I have one complaint its that a little more may have been covered regarding his showbiz circles, there are several pictures of him hobnobbing with rock stars throughout his varied career yet little tidbits regarding them. But that is all.

In short, an engrossing read, bought on holiday and read in one day.

5 out of 5 stars

The Legend That Is Johnnie Walker. July 7, 2007
24 out of 25 found this review helpful

Like other reviewers, I too have been a fan since the Radio England/Caroline days, and have followed Johnnie through his long and varied career, and throughout the book, he comes across as the mate you always wanted to have - I consider him a friend after all these years. I was a member of his fan club in the Caroline days, so successfully run by his mother from their home. It comes over from Johnnie that his family was so important to him, there were times I had to stop reading the book, tears in the eyes and a lump in the throat. Many highlights in the book, the pirate days were my favourites, and he speaks with passion about those days too. Highly recommended to anybody with the slightest interest in the music business, perhaps we may get further books from Johnnie, some of the stories of the artistes he met and toured with would be most welcomed. 'Legend' is often a word that gets over used these days, this is the only way to describe the one and only Johnnie Walker, long may he grace our radio waves.

5 out of 5 stars

johnnie walker...man of principle. July 5, 2007
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

I have been following the career of johnnie walker ever since,as a young lad,I heard him say he hated the bay city rollers{and boy,were they bad,popickers]and had to play their crap on the radio.His remarks cost him his job and he fled to the states before returning the hero of the people with taste.A man of principle.
This book is a wonderful recount of his days with the pirate radio shows of the sixties and his dislike of being restricted to what he could play in the seventies.The man should have had a programme like John Peel had,where he could play Joe Walsh,The Eagles,Clapton and Bad Company.
A truly fine autobiography of a man,often overlooked.