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He started his career as a disc jockey for radio stations in California, and then went on to form a band that included his brother called Sly and the Family Stone.

In 1959, the disc jockey from Memphis took a job at a station in Los Angeles, convinced he had made the mistake of his life.

Hackman also volunteered to be a disc jockey and read the news on the military radio station.

He was stationed in China where he worked as a radio operator, which led to later work as a disc jockey.

The veteran disc jockey's death aged 79 was announced by his friend and fellow Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris in December.