Dave Johnson
I was born at an early age to Edith and Ken who promptly sent me up chimneys with a brush attached ... actually, I had a very conventional upbringing in the Cheshire town of Crewe and after a couple of false starts when I left school, I worked in sales for about ten years. Then I got involved with hospital radio and then nightclubs, leading into a professional radio career which I’ve enjoyed for over twenty years now. I’ve always had North-East links and never wanted to go home after visits – now, I am home and I’m loving it.
I like good wine, hugs, Coronation Street, the theatre, surfing (the net I mean, not riding on a board at Seaton Carew) and of course, music - which is why I love being part of Smooth Radio. I can't stand traffic queues (I’m the world’s worst person in them!), bad coffee, children who whinge on aeroplanes and unkind humour – I’d far rather laugh with someone than at them.
QUICK QUESTIONS
Favourite Pastime?
I always say that a lie-down with a warm friend helps to pass the time ... Should a suitable warm friend not be available, I enjoy eating-out (bad for the waistline though, all the springs went overnight when I hit 40), a great retro night on the dance-floor, a good read and friends visiting (but only if they bring wine).
Childhood memory?
My dad and I used to play the ukulele banjo together and I somewhat precociously went on to win the Butlin’s talent show a couple of times, extolling the virtues of cleaning windows and leaning on lamp-posts. If you get me drunk and produce a ukelele I’ll still happily show myself up for a modest fee.
Favourite Film?
I’m not much of a film buff to be honest but I wept uncontrollably at Schindler’s List and howled with laughter at Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Dolly Parton in Nine-to-Five. The first Shrek film is brilliant too.
Favourite Band/artist?
I know this one! For me, Abba are simply the best band ever. I always knew I’d be proved right eventually, when my friends insisted I was soooo un-cool as I bopped away to “Summer Night City” on a personal stereo the size of a small house. Listen to those chromatic harmonies, the angst in Agnetha’s voice, the badly-translated “since many years I haven’t seen a rifle in your hand”!
Favourite Concert I went to?
For sheer professionalism, it has to be the “old standards” – Diana Ross, Barry Manilow and Shirley Bassey are all incredible performers with the ability to hold the audience in the palms of their hands.
Favourite Album?
Has to be Abba of course, any of them. Otherwise, probably Andrew Gold’s “All this and heaven too”. I’m also very fond of a fairly obscure LP by an American singer named Jonna Gault called “Watch me” - but I don’t usually mention that because people tend to look at me sideways and walk away…..
Favourite Decade?
I really got into music in the 70’s as a teenager so I guess I’d have to say then – however, I was brought-up on Motown and great 60’s pop and I worked the club scene from 1986 until just a year or so ago, so at the risk of sitting on yet another fence ... Put it this way, “When you are a King” from White Plains can float my boat just as much as Elvis Costello or Living Joy. Ask me to categorise myself and you’d be there all day….
