BBC country music presenter Kenny Johnson dies, aged 75

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-34529719

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The former BBC Radio Merseyside presenter and country musician Kenny Johnson has died in Spain, aged 75.

He was a founder member of the The Hillsiders in the 1960s, one of the UK's most popular country bands.

Mr Johnson, who died on Tuesday night, performed in Nashville, US, and was inducted into the British Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

He retired in June after hosting the show Sounds Country on BBC Radio Merseyside for nearly 40 years.

The weekly programme had the highest listening figures for any regional country music show.

'Country music icon'

In his final programme, he signed off saying: "I've had 39 years of playing the music I love and I've enjoyed every minute of it. It's been absolutely tremendous and I thank you for that."

In the 1970s, he had hits with his band Northwind including City Lights and Today.

BBC Radio Merseyside editor Sue Owen said: "Kenny was a first-class broadcaster and a wonderful musician who was loved all over Merseyside.

"We send his family and friends our deepest condolences."

Listeners paid tribute with one commenting: "Kenny WAS country music and Merseyside was lucky to have him."

Another said: "My love of country music goes right back to the 1960s thanks to Kenny and his band The Hillsiders.

"When he became a presenter at Radio Merseyside the promotion of local country music was phenomenal. British country music has lost an icon."