Jerry Jeff Walker, the folk-country singer, and songwriter most famous for his 60s hit song “Mr. Bojangles,” has died. He passed away on Friday and was aged 78, Daily Mail reports.
Walker was given the name Ronald Clyde Crosby at birth, was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2017. His cancer went into remission. It was within that period that he released his last album in 2018 titled “It’s About Time.”
He was from Oneonta, New York. Most of his family members were musicians, which inspired him to toe the same path for himself. He began singing from his teen years in an Oneonta band called The Tones, which failed during their audition for American Bandstand. He started his career in the Greenwich Village folk scene in the early 60s. He began with a New Orleans street performer in a drunk tank.
However, his big break came when he wrote the song “Mr. Bojangles,” – which become his most celebrated project. The song was covered by known greats such as Bob Dylan, Sammy Davis Jr., and Neil Diamond.
Out to achieve more exposure for his music, Walker moved to Austin, Texas, in the early 70s, and this was where he met his manager, who he subsequently married in 1974. He lived much of his life in Austin. In an interview with The Next Waltz a few years ago, he once said that he stayed in the city because of his wife, Yahoo News writes.
“The reason I stay here is because of my wife,” he said. “She’s as happy as she can be. She has the house she wanted in Austin. My kids like it too, so I’m sort of there.”
Walker quickly became a recognized member of Austin’s music scene. He had the chance to work with known names such as Gary P. Nunn, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Todd Snider. He had a collaborative album with the Lost Gonzo Band, “Viva Terlingua.” Together, they were able to mix southern and country-rock and blues, with Mexican styles like Tejano, which a whole different genre of music that appealed to a broad audience.
Walker’s death brought a lot of tributes in social media from fans and every one his music has affected, including the likes of Tom Arnold. He shared a beautiful anecdote about the late singer’s down-to-earth disposition. Music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Jeff Hullinger, Dallas Moore, and many others also shared poured tributes to the late singer.
He is survived by his manager and wife, Susan, daughter Jessie Jane, and son, Django Walker.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
