RIP Phillip Walker, 1937-2010

Texas-reared blues guitarist and singer Phillip Walker passed away early this morning due to heart failure at the age of 73. Walker, who was born in Welsh, Louisiana, was raised in Port Arthur and got his start playing professionally with Zydeco king Clifton Chenier. Like many Texas blues artists, Walker moved to California in the 1950s after making his mark on the Texas scene. During his long career he recorded for Specialty, Chess, Alligator, and Black Top, among others, and released his final studio album on the Delta Groove Music label in 2007. I had the privilege of interviewing Walker for Austin Sound when his new album came out, which you can access here: http://www.austinsound.net/2007/02/14/interview-phillip-walker/. Tune into Blues At Sunrise Wednesday, July 28 from 7-9 AM for a tribute to the great Phillip Walker.