He's a former king of the jungle, Radio 2 and kmfm stalwart, and now he's taking his radio show on the road.

Tony Blackburn uttered the immortal words "Welcome to the exciting new sound of Radio 1" back in 1967 - and he's been playing the hits of the 60s ever since.

Infact, some might say he is the voice of the 60s - so it's entirely appropriate that DJ Tony Blackburn is set to tour the country with his BBC Radio 2 show, Sounds of the 60s.

The DJ, who started out on Radio Caroline before joining the new fledgling station, Radio One, may have been broadcasting for more than 50 years, and was also a singer and performer, but it's the first time he's taken his radio show on the road, he reveals.

"I have done a lot of live stuff over the years but this is the first time I have taken my radio show on the road," the 76-year-old said.

"I love doing live shows and meeting the audience. It is nice to meet them. When I opened up Radio 1, I remember one journalist asking me what I'd be doing in a year's time. Well, I'm still going..."

He added: "I'm lucky, I don't get nervous. I have been working quite hard on it. I'm not using a script - I'm ad libbing too.

"I can also remember the 60s very well."

So what does he think makes the 60s so appealing to people today? "It was a special decade, a big era. I love all the music from then, I can't pick out favourites. The 60s still have a strong following."

His tour, which comes to the Orchard Theatre in Dartford this weekend and the Churchill Theatre, Bromley in June, features live music from the Sounds Of The 60s All Star Band & Singers. But most of all, it features Tony.

"I come out and talk about the 60s. I look into the music, there's such great music. And people love hearing about the pirate ship. It should be a fun night."

But don't think Tony's stuck in the 60s, or winding down after more than half a century in the business. He's recently had a voice-over part in the stage show Rip Up the 60s, playing at the Garrick Theatre; he has been presenting on kmfm for more than 10 years and he's an avid social media poster. You'll find him on Twitter with some witticisms most days.

"I love technology, it's probably why I'm still around," he said.

"You have to embrace it. Twitter is a good for telling people what you're doing. It is a really important part of life now."

He added: "I love working. I don't want to retire. I love what I do."

DETAILS

Tony Blackburn's Sound of the 60s is at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford on Saturday, April 27. To book tickets from £21 go to orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 22000.

The show is also at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Sunday, June 30. To book tickets at £32.50. To book go to churchilltheatre.co.uk or call 020 3285 6000.

And it is at the Central Theatre, Chatham, on Sunday, October 6. Tickets from £24.50, available from medwayticketlive.co.uk.

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