By Trevor Makonyonga
The entertainment world was shaken yesterday as news of the passing of veteran DJ Peter Johns filtered the airwaves and social media platforms.
Johns was a hit in the 80s and 90s at Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation’s (ZBC) Radio 3 which rebranded to Power FM.
Below are some of the messages from entertainers on the death of the radio guru.
Musician, Ernest ‘Nesto’ Manandi posted to his Facebook, “The Man… The Legend. Who can forget Thursday nights, with the Nas instrumental to, “You Can Hate Me Now”, on the hip hop show “The Connection”. The feeling you got when you heard Darude-Sandstorm… Or Alice Deejay’s – Better Off Alone… Ooh even local he dropped Viva Baby-Crystalz.Still have dubbed tapes of these shows… Thanks For The Memories!!! Peter John’s, Pee Jay Your Deejay, The Radio Driver!!! Your shoes will never be filled. # R .I.P. # SupportLocal”
Radio DJ Tinashe Chikuse on Facebook, “When God says NOW noone can say LATER….I was young in the 90’s then but would understand music, I used to enjoy @PeterJohns shows wondering how he gets his music fresh & unique to him.I loved his flow of the Queen’s language never knew he had the same skin texture as me in rural Bikita,Masvingo listening to then Radio 3 now Power FM Zimbabwe on my late grandfather, Mr JV Manyanye’ black small People’s Radio & watching him on ZTV 1 Coke on the Beat on a Black & White small television made it worse to wonder if he was white or black. His shows were flawless to me all I was concerned much was him saying Hits as they are in UK but the question would again come saka anotoenda kuUK asati auya kuradio to get music and back.It was an honour to me back in 2003 to sit in a very same studio & open a microphone to be listened on Radio the same way The Peter Johns I used to follow religiously ndiri kumusha.I remember saying to one of my radio technicians then at ZBC Pockets Hill ,Kenny ‘Wasu’ Madziyanike …Saka ndopaigara PeterJohns,Kudzi Marudza,Witness Matema,Tsitsi Mawarire,Simon Parkinson the Legendary list is endless apa pandakagara….It was an automatic MOTIVATION to excel….But what hurts me most today is I have to be honest I never saw him (Peter Johns) in real life but the amount of inspiration I got from him just by listening to his shows ihombe I can’t describe though it was my wish to just see him one day. I guess the childhood question emanating from his flow of English will forever be unanswered in my real life but through his works captured on modern day technology.I thank the Lord for your talent truly touched my heart. William Shakespeare in one of his books once said…”The world is like a stage where every man has a part to play his role there is an entrance and an exit…@PeterJohns REST IN PEACE you played your part Elder in entertaining the world and showcasing your God given talent. The Media in particular RADIO has indeed lost another VOICE. I salute you.”
Sportscaster Barry Manandi tweeted, “I won’t forget him saying ‘This one is fresh off the AirZim flight from London’ PJ your DJ #Legend #RIPPeeJay #TheRadioDriver #PeterJohns”
South Africa’s top DJ, DJ Fresh tweeted, “I am So sad to hear of the passing of #PeterJohns!! Condolences to all the Zim and SADC #RadioHeads he created!!! 💔#RipPeterJohns”
Former employers ZBC’s Power FM posted to Twitter, “It is with sad hearts that Powerfm heard of the passing of much loved radio Dj Peter Johns. He was affectionately known as “PJ your DJ” & “The Radio Driver” . He hosted the Midday Jam on Radio 3. He left the station in 2002 and was now based in the United Kingdom.”
The 60 year old former DJ is said to have had suffered 3 strokes and had been unwell for a while. He changed the game and he will be dearly remembered.
