Johnners by Barry Johnston
With his schoolboy humour and distinctive, cheerful voice, "Johnners" was a friend to millions of radio listeners and when he died in 1994 at the age of 81, the "Daily Telegraph" described him as "the greatest natural broadcaster of them all". Born in 1912, Brian had an idyllic childhood in Hertfordshire until he was ten years old, when his father drowned on a seaside holiday. After going to Eton and Oxford he wanted to be an actor, but was persuaded to join the family coffee business in the City. When war broke out he served with the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards in Normandy and was awarded the Military Cross. After being demobbed Brian joined the BBC in January 1946. His remarkable broadcasting career spanned 48 years and made him a household name as a cricket commentator and on programmes such as In Town Tonight and Down Your Way. Barry Johnston has had exclusive access to his father's letters and has interviewed dozens of his friends and colleagues to offer the full story of the man behind the microphone. It includes his controversial sacking from television and his re-emergence as a much-loved figure on Test Match Special.
Johnston maganes to steer that fine line of being the guardian of his father's memory without being sentimental..I found it immensely moving to read of the darker moments which touched the life of the man who has so often lifted me out of my own doldrums with his easy good humour - Sybil Ruscoe, Daily TelegraphIn the commentary box at the end of every Test match the commentators vote on the Brian Johnston champagne moment - something extraordinary, memorable, even absurd. It is a fitting monument, as is this respectful, loving book - P.J. Kavanagh, SpectatorJOHNNERS is a richly entertaining tribute to one of the pioneers and characters of radio and televsion broadcasting and will appeal to cricket lovers and non cricket lovers alike - Birmingham PostA beautifully balanced book. It certainly does tell the whole story - Christopher Martin-Jenkins, BBC Test Match Special
Barry Johnston is Brian's eldest son. He appeared with the harmony group Design on more than 50 television shows in the 1970s. He moved to Los Angeles where he presented the breakfast show on KLOA Radio, and has broadcast regularly on BBC local radio and Radio 5. He now runs BarryMour Productions and has produced audio cassettes by Tony Benn, Dickie Bird, Jack Dee and many others. Barry has edited several books including Letters Home 1926-1945 and A Delicious Slice of Johnners.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780340824702 |
| ISBN 10 | 0340824700 |
| Title | Johnners |
| Author | Barry Johnston |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Hodder & Stoughton |
| Year published | 2003-08-04 |
| Number of pages | 384 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |