BLIND WILLIE WALKER
(1896-March 4, 1933)
No known photograph of Blind Willie Walker appears to exist.
An early guitarist and singer in the Piedmont blues style, Blind Willie Walker was described by musicians such as Reverend Gary Davis and Pink Anderson as an outstanding guitarist. Josh White called him the best guitarist he had ever heard, even better than Blind Blake: "Blake was quick, but Walker was like Art Tatum." In his performances, he was often accompanied by guitarist Sam Brooks.
Walker's birthplace is unknown, but most of his life was spent in and around Greenville, South Carolina. His parents, George and Lucy Walker, moved to Elford Street in Greenville in 1913. The Reverend Gary Davis stated that Willie played in a string band as early as 1911. Little else is known of his childhood, except that he was blind from birth.
Blues/folk singer and guitarist, Josh White, said, "Walker was certainly sophisticated and his clear, almost minstrel-like vocal delivery went perfectly with his delicate yet strong-structured guitar lines." His whole life was music, and on his death certificate he was named a musician, it was all he knew.
Walker maintained residence in Greenville in 1915, 1917 through 1919, 1924, 1931 and 1933, always in Clover, South Carolina, in his parents’ house. His father died of pneumonia on December 23, 1928, but his mother lived until 1958. On December 6, 1930, Walker had his only recording session. He cut four sides for Columbia in Atlanta. Walker played in an exceptionally fast style, and he enjoyed the key of C the most. Playing C produced much of Walker's ragtime style, lending to the chord progression (C-A7-D-G-C). This type of progression along with his clear vocals, are the backbone to tunes such as "Make Believe Stunt," "Cincinnati Flow Rag," and his most popular, "South Carolina Rag." It wasn't until 1970 that a cassette of Walker's was released. It was a coupling of Walker and the accompanying guitar of Sam Brooks. Then, in 1972 the original version of Walker's, "South Carolina Rag" was released. John Jackson, the son of one of Walker's guitar companions, released the cassette.
"Blind" Willie Walker died on March 4, 1933 of congenital syphilis, which may have been the contributing factor to his being born blind.
Walker's birthplace is unknown, but most of his life was spent in and around Greenville, South Carolina. His parents, George and Lucy Walker, moved to Elford Street in Greenville in 1913. The Reverend Gary Davis stated that Willie played in a string band as early as 1911. Little else is known of his childhood, except that he was blind from birth.
Blues/folk singer and guitarist, Josh White, said, "Walker was certainly sophisticated and his clear, almost minstrel-like vocal delivery went perfectly with his delicate yet strong-structured guitar lines." His whole life was music, and on his death certificate he was named a musician, it was all he knew.
Walker maintained residence in Greenville in 1915, 1917 through 1919, 1924, 1931 and 1933, always in Clover, South Carolina, in his parents’ house. His father died of pneumonia on December 23, 1928, but his mother lived until 1958. On December 6, 1930, Walker had his only recording session. He cut four sides for Columbia in Atlanta. Walker played in an exceptionally fast style, and he enjoyed the key of C the most. Playing C produced much of Walker's ragtime style, lending to the chord progression (C-A7-D-G-C). This type of progression along with his clear vocals, are the backbone to tunes such as "Make Believe Stunt," "Cincinnati Flow Rag," and his most popular, "South Carolina Rag." It wasn't until 1970 that a cassette of Walker's was released. It was a coupling of Walker and the accompanying guitar of Sam Brooks. Then, in 1972 the original version of Walker's, "South Carolina Rag" was released. John Jackson, the son of one of Walker's guitar companions, released the cassette.
"Blind" Willie Walker died on March 4, 1933 of congenital syphilis, which may have been the contributing factor to his being born blind.
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