The radio legend’s household and followers have shared emotional tributes.
Radio pioneer James ‘Dr Daddy O’ Walker has died (Picture: Fb)
Radio pioneer James Walker, often known as Dr Daddy O, has died. The cultural icon owned Denver’s KDKO AM 1510 radio station – the primary black-owned station west of Kansas Metropolis within the Sixties. Dr Daddy O’s voice represented a group and opened the doorways for numerous black radio professionals. His station, situated in 5 Factors, was often known as the Soul of the Rockies and went on to encourage the black group and past.
He handed away on Tuesday (January 27) morning attributable to well being points, stories 9News. Saying his demise on Fb, Dr Daddy O’s household penned: “With hearts full of affection and gratitude, we announce the peaceable transition of our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, James ‘Dr. Daddio’ Walker. He has gone residence to fulfill the Lord and to reunite together with his lovely spouse, Pat. We thank every of you for the prayers, love, and unwavering help you might have proven our household. His life was profound, purposeful, and deeply impactful. The legendary voice that carried us by way of sunshine, rain, and lengthy afternoon drives residence.”
They added: “He touched generations, formed lives, and leaves behind a legacy of religion, power, knowledge, and naturally, ‘Unity within the Group.’ A love that may proceed to stay by way of us.”
The household stated they might share particulars concerning a service for the late star, signing the submit off with: “A life properly lived, a soul properly liked and a legacy everlasting.”
Dr Daddy O arrived on the radio scene in 1963 after leaving Houston.
“I had gone so far as I might go in Houston [in radio] however I at all times needed to be a pioneer, and open doorways in different cities with my expertise,” he beforehand stated.
For the subsequent 18 years, he labored numerous roles throughout the station, together with gross sales supervisor, operations supervisor, program director, and on-air character, stories IMDb.
Dr Daddy O owned Denver’s KDKO AM 1510 radio station – the primary black-owned station west of Kansas Metropolis within the Sixties (Picture: Fb)
He was the was main proprietor of KDKO from 1989 to 2002 throughout its Energy 1510 – Unity In The Group period, who introduced the soul format to Colorado on KDKO in 1967.
Denver resident Terry Gentry, a detailed household pal of Dr Daddy O, paid an emotional tribute to the radio pioneer on 9News.
She stated: “On KDKO radio, he opened up the alternatives for all of our group members to have entry to assets. My dad was within the Denver Police Division and began the Crime Stoppers programme and Dr Daddy O would invite my dad all the way down to do the Crime Stoppers programme on a weekly foundation.
“That was a serious accomplishment, particularly whenever you’re trying again within the 60s.”
On studying about his demise, Gentry added: “That broke my coronary heart. I heard that and all I might do was simply break down and cry. I’ll miss him a lot. He elevated us. He celebrated us. Our group is in mourning for such an unimaginable loss. Dr Daddy O, you’ve got bought your wings, job properly completed.
Amongst his many honours, Dr Daddy O was inducted into the Blacks in Colorado Corridor of Fame in 2008.
Tributes have flooded in for the late star on Fb, with one writing: “This man was a real pillar within the black group sharing information, r&b, Gospel turns by way of the airwaves, A Salute to Dr. Daddy-O aka Mr James Walker for his devoted service to the black group.”
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One other stated: “KBPI definitely did not final for lengthy, thank goodness for KDKO and Dr. Daddio. I’d have by no means had any SOUL round right here with out the station and all it is ….music, love, and help.”
A 3rd echoed: “Congratulations to a person who was the Man of Radio. I met him years in the past on the Blues present on 1-70 and Chambers Rd at Z Z Hills present within the 80’s. This was one event when he was down on the 5 factors for Juneteenth. What an Icon.”
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