Barry Jenkin, known to a generation of New Zealanders as Dr Rock and by his signature line, “Good evening citizens” died on May 16, aged 75.

Starting out in the late 1960s, Jenkin trained as an announcer for the NZ Broadcasting Corporation. He spent three years working at Palmerston North radio station 2ZA before returning to Auckland and joining 1ZM.

In 1977 Jenkin signed on as host of Sunday night music show Radio With Pictures, hosting for three years. That same year he joined Radio Hauraki.

Jenkin said,  “I signed up on the proviso I got to play whatever I wanted, which lasted a couple of years until punk came along…”

He would get fired a few times for not sticking to station formulas, but there he received the nickname that most people would come to know him by, coined by DJ/ programme director Fred Botica, Dr Rock.

In the 1980s Jenkin started doing voice-over work with advertising agencies, film studios, and corporate video producers liking Jenkin’s gruff tones and measured delivery.

In 2004, Jenkin bought his own station on Waiheke Island, where he could always play what he wished.