From his days with Rediffusion and Radio 4 to his time with his own online channel in recent years, Joey’s shows were more than vintage entertainment.
It was a gathering of lovers of golden oldies, who celebrated rare classics, or tunes which evoked memories.
Together with his son, Daniel Dusanjh, he wrapped his programmes with a blend of nostalgia and mirth, the songs going back to the 1950s.
The music of yesteryear on his online channel, Joey On The Radio (JOTR), stopped on Feb 10, when he passed away suddenly after a short illness, aged 67.
His real name is Kartar Singh and took the name Gene Joey after he became a Christian.
Joey’s former colleague Neubert Ambrose said: “His passing broke the hearts of those who loved him and his music that he played with passion.
“It was the end of an era of one whose WhatsApp status read, ‘music was my first love and it will be my last’.
Radio Televisyen Malaysia’s (RTM) TraXX FM radio host Nigel Green paid tribute to Joey by playing “Going Home” by Mark Knopfler, remembering some of the fondest memories and antics of Joey.
While Joey also enjoyed success as a club disc jockey, it was his work as radio host that made him most happy, said Ambrose.
Joey was the youngest of a large family and grew up in Sentul, a place in Kuala Lumpur where many radio personalities and music legends came from.
Ambrose recalled Joey was a passionate follower of old classics even as a student of Methodist Boys School Sentul, rattling off names of the singers, and the titles and lyrics of songs.
Joey on the airwaves
Joey began working with TTDI Development but gave up the job to pursue a career as a broadcaster cum presenter at Rediffusion.
Ambrose said like many other deejays who began at Rediffusion, and who made a mark over radio or as emcees, both Joey and him owed the training to their supervisor, the late Anna Morden.
Morden, he added, maintained the highest standards in pronunciation, diction and language. “Joey learned fast and brought out the best in himself.”
“Programmes were pre-recorded and Joey was creative in producing sound effects and whacky ideas for his shows,” he said.
Joey later became a deejay on Radio 4 as well as Radio Ibu Kota, and the genre of music he played made him popular with listeners.
When his contract with (RTM) ended in early 2000, he set up an events company, with a mobile machine to enable him to play his brand of music.
“He loved entertaining the crowd and was interactive with them. His artistry and on-the-spot humour kept everyone in stiches,” said Ambrose.
At the same time, he bought old cars, refurbished them and sold them at minimal cost.
To keep his fan base alive, Joey started JOTR about two years ago, and had a weekly programme of the same title.
“Fans grew over time as Joey thrilled listeners with their requests and gave them advice during memorable occasions,” said Ambrose.
Joey was also part of the online radio station called Radio Rewind, launched by DJ Muhammad Ghandi and his wife Noredah Arshad last month.