John Walton Bio, Wiki

John Walton was the longtime co-host of the Houston-based radio program “Walton and Johnson. On July 1st, 2019, Walton’s business partner and friend, Steve Johnson revealed that he had passed away after battling an illness. He was 67 years old.

John Walton Background

John Walton was born and raised in Houston, Texas, but moved further north for college. According to his LinkedIn page, He studied political science, history and writing at the University of Oklahoma. Walton wrote on his profile that as a student, he “Partied like it was 1973.”

According to his bio, on The “Walton & Johnson” Facebook page, Walton “began talking on the radio as an all nite weekend guy and hasn’t shut up since.” The bio further reads, “John has been on the radio so long that he won’t say what year he started in Oklahoma City while in college, but let’s just say the Beatles breakup was still big news.”

Walton did not list the specific radio stations he worked for, but described himself as a “Super Hip Personality” and “Shaper of Public Opinion.” Walton also revealed in an interview that radio personality Don Imus played an instructional role in how he pursued his role as a radio host. Walton said that Imus told him to never be concerned about getting fired, but instead, just put on the best show possible. As referenced above, Walton teamed up with Steve Johnson in 1983. In addition to producing the weekday program, Walton also owned and operated a radio station, KXXF, in Beaumont, Texas. He took over the station in 2014 and wrote that he was “saving radio from vulture capital.”

Walton and Johnson Radio Show

The Radio Program ‘Walton & Johnson’ was Launched in 1983 in New Orleans. In an Interview, John Walton and Steve Johnson explained in 2017 interview that when their radio program first launched,  they had no idea it would grow as it did. Johnson described the show as “just something to do” and a “lark.”

The location, New Orleans was not planned but happened by “accident.” He explained that they were treated to a steakhouse dinner and made the decision to sign on the dotted line. Their show “Walton & Johnson” launched on WQUE New Orleans shortly after and soon became the top-rated morning show in the area.

That success of their radio show enabled them to look outside of New Orleans at larger markets. Walton and Johnson moved the show to Dallas in 1986, and then to Houston in 2004.

The show was a mixture of talk and music. Walton and Johnson were also known to host comedians and politicians on the air.

According to the Houston Chronicle,  the political slant of the “Walton & Johnson” as “decided right-of-center.” John Walton and Steve Johnson would pick out topics for each show, but did not write scripts and were always unafraid to speak their minds.

Walton and Johnson called the daily listeners the “10 percenters.” Their show was most popular with men ages 25 to 54.

John Walton Wife, Children

John Walton had two Facebook pages. As per his older profile, he had been married since May 4th, 1990. The more updated page lists three children. His sons are Cody and Adam, and he has a daughter named Olivia.

John Walton Death & Cause

John Walton passed on July 1st, 2019. He was 67 years old. His business partner and friend, Steve Johnson notified fans of the Walton & Johnson show about his friend’s death in a tribute post shared to social media. He included a picture of the two of them from their younger years.

Johnson shared that Walton had been battling medical issues that were “too numerous to overcome. He had been receiving treatment over the last month but continued to suffer.”

At the time of his death, Walton presumably was in a hospital or treatment facility. Johnson explained that Walton had made the decision to return home yesterday and spend his last hours with his family. He went out on his own terms. As per the tribute, John passed away on Monday night, July 1st, 2019 around 11:55 PM.

Johnson wrote that he would “always cherish John as not only a partner but a dear friend. His wit and humor defined him as the unique individual we all knew him to be. He will never be replaced. He had a voice and he had something to say.

Your loyalty and support for him and his craft was always a mutual sentiment. John cared deeply for all of you. He loved to make you all laugh.”

John Walton Cause of Death

John Walton died from an unspecified illness. In the tribute, Johnson did not share specifics as to Walton’s illness. Ken Webster, the show’s executive producer, told the Houston Chronicle that Walton preferred to keep his professional and private lives separate, and had not hinted as to the severity of his illness. “John was a great broadcaster but also a very private person, and we didn’t realize how much pain he was in near the end of his life.”