Bwana Blogs

UPDATED 12/30/2005

The death of Bwana Johnny is just so sad. He was an original, that's for sure. When he debuted on 97 DJ, we all said, "Wow! this is something special." And he was. A personality in his own right, and probably the best-known personality on 97 DJ. I always wondered what he may have sounded like at WABC.

He was definitely one of a kind and someone who passed through and left his mark on the Big Apple. May he rest in peace.

I always felt Bwana was one of the most stand-out air talents of his generation... yet I never met the man or spoke to him! He never got his props, IMHO, but having stopped for a spell in the NYC market, he came damned close.

This guy HAD IT. I don't know why WWDJ never made him their p.m. drive "star”, or why they didn't keep him on 'til the end (I believe by the time he was about to split 97-DJ, he may have been doing overnights!).

Bwana should have been Rick Sklar’s choice Numero Uno to replace my ol' pal Cousin Brucie. Even before Bruce left, Rick shoulda called and lured Bwana away from scenic Hackensack.

I woke up this morning at 705am CST with the tv that I left on over night and low and behold it was on MSNBC. Imus was on and the first thing I heard him say was how he would miss Bwana Johnny and how his many friends would miss him. Amazing. I'm so glad that we all went to see him when I was there last and wish I could make the Andy lunch coming up but I'll be there in spirit.

I was living in upstate NY digging 77WABC when 'The Beauty On Duty' was ruling the roost at 97 WWDJ so, sadly, I heard him AFTER the fact. I agree with Famous that Sklar should have called over to Hackensack and brought over Johnny to take over nights after Brucie left rather than WFIL's George Michael. Having listened to hours of Bwana Johnny via airchecks - I know I missed out hearing him light up the airwaves and so did much of America. Yeah, Johnny did the tour - WWDJ, KYA, WSAI, WFUN, KJR and many other big sticks but he never got a seat at the big flamethrower that was WABC.

Sad news. Bwana Johnny was great. When he was at WWDJ, I couldn't help but love to listen to him, even though I was at WABC. One of the best of his style of radio. Exciting, fun, crazy, screaming so loud it made that little teapot station sound like it was a clear channel. RIP.
Glenn Morgan
former PD
WABC Musicradio77

WE HAVE ALL BEEN BLESSED BY KNOWING RICK JOHNSON / BWANA. IT JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW MUCH ONE LITTLE LIGHT CAN SHINE SO BRIGHTLY. I AM WITHOUT WORDS THOUGH. I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM FOR A LONG TIME. I DO MISS HIM DEEPLY. HE IS ON NOW TO GIVE A WHOLE NEW GROUP A LOTTA TROUBLE.

Hey John! Bwana came to WUBE in Cincinnati along with a new staff of radio notables. I worked with him only a few days then was fired along with the rest of the staff.

Then,...........................about 30 years later at 2 am my phone rang. As I picked up the receiver I could hear full blast, a recording of one of my shows on WNOE in New Orleans.It went on for about three minutes. After that time, Bwana announced his presence on the phone and we talked for quite a while. Who else would do something THAT crazy?

Shad O'Shea

When 97 WWDJ graced us with their top 40/oldies format in the spring of 71, It was almost an AM version of OR-FM with one exception: Real bright cheery jocks! I remember the original crew and was also a fan of Bwana's. It really is hard to believe that no one else in the market picked up his talent after the demise of the station.
Wayne Scott Sandifer

Here's a jock that stood out and was thee 97DJ superstar. You stuck with Bwana Johnny because you never knew what he was going to say next. Couldn't wait for his next talk-up.

Reminds me of the NY jocks that stood out during the early 1970's. Guys like Jerry Carroll and Jim Quinn.

Early 1970's New York radio was a good listen with stations like 97DJ, WPIX-FM and 99x. Great era for New York top-40 radio.

After being mustered out of the military, I remember coming home to the Bronx and getting acquainted with WWDJ - the "new kid in town." Bwana Johnny made me a convert from WABC. He was like no other - an enthusiasm that leaped out of that speaker and filled my room with a sound that beat out all the others.

I remember well how he blasted out "HACKENSACK!" To this very day, it comes to mind whenever I drive through that town and remember the fun and good times that station provided.

He is a man who was taken from life decades before his time. The available airchecks bring back such good memories of a simpler life.

Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Rest in Peace. To your many fans, you will always be a beauty and forever on duty.
Fred Richards

I knew Bwana from two times in my career. When I was PD of KQEN in Roseburg, Oregon in 1986-89, Bwana was up the freeway at KSND. They had a translator in our town and were CHR as we were. I "hated" him! LOL! He was the Big Time and I was nobody, but he would still greet me each year at the Gavin Convention in SF with a big hug and then give me tons of advice.

Secondly, when he was with BP he programmed our automation music. Again, he always made me feel like I was the big shot, even though he didn't need to do that!

My favorite years in radio were those days in the mid 80's spent at KSND. Bwana was a big part of that. Even though I was across the fence as the sales manager, I learned a lot from him. I can still hear that roaring laugh, taste his special BBQ sauce, the great parties at his place and the poker games that turned into him playing black jack heads up against everyone there. Though I haven't spoken to him in a while. He will always be considered a close friend and will be missed.