Jerry Jeff Walker, Legendary Singer-Songwriter Dies at 78
The legendary country singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker famous for writing one of the most iconic country songs ever, has died at 78.
In 2017, Jerry revealed that he had throat cancer and pneumonia. Though it was so bad and looks like he won't make it, Jerry could recover. Jerry's former publicist told TMZ that his wife told him to prepare an obituary two months ago. Jerry died from cancer and related ailments, the publicist says.
Jerry's wife Susan Walker told the Austin American-Statesman, "He was at home until an hour before his passing. Susan added that what they are extremely grateful for is that Jerry went ver peacefully.
According to TMZ, Jerry, his crowning achievement when he got inspired after meeting a New Orleans street performer in a drunk tank. Jerry's interaction with the street performers led the singer to create the song "Mr. Bojangles," which he recorded in 1968. "Mr. Bojangles" didn't became a hit. But it became a huge hit after two years when the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded the song.
Singers such as Bob Dylan, King Curtis, Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, Sammy Davis Jr., Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, and more covered "Mr. Bojangles," became a staple song. In 1942, Walker was born in New York. In the '60s, he spent most of his young adult life in Greenwich Village in the folk scene. The legendary singer-songwriter migrated in the '70s to Austin and was considered a founding father of the City's vibrant music scene.
Jerry didn't seem to crave the spotlight even his famous pals such as Willie Nelson hit it big. However, Jerry was better known for his songwriting and his efforts to make Texas a musical force. Although he did it with 36 albums, including the "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother." Jerry was considered one of the founding fathers of Texas' country music.
Years ago, Jerry helped form a couple of bands and a record company, Tried & True. The iconic artist experimented with outlaw blues, rock, and Mexican-influenced music. He was a hard-living man with no secret of his penchant for drugs and alcohol.
Ray Benson of the country group Asleep at the Wheel told the Tennessean that other than Willie, Jerry was the most crucial musician that Austin, Texas ever had. Benson added that Jerry Jeff Walker brought that songwriter and folk singer from to its heights in Texas. Because of that, he will be eternal as all these kids write songs in that mode today.
Buffet credited Jerry Jeff Walker in his 1998 biography, by introducing Walker to "all watering holes and funky bars" from Miami to Key West. Fans of Buffet may have thanked Walker for his association with Key West.
NPR reported that Walker released 36 albums during his 51-year recording careers. In the mid- '80s, Jerry and Susan formed their label, Tried & True Music, being run out of their home in Austin. The homegrown label managed all of Walker's tour promotions, bookings, publicity, and merchandise.
In a 2018 interview with the Statesman, Jerry noted that he and Susan Walker are done well for two people who didn't know much about the music business. Walker said while contracting his label with more famous companies that they make it out of the air. "These people don't have any idea about how it goes than we do," Jerry added.
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