Johnny Big Moose Walker

John Mayon Walker – born June 27, 1927 in Stoneville, Mississippi – is a Chicago blues pianist/keyboardist better known by his stage name Big Moose Walker. Best known as a pianist, he was known to play the organ and the bass guitar. While he released very few albums as a leader, he played with many of blues’ most influential artists including Sonny Boy Williamson II, Lowell Fulson, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Sunnyland Slim, Otis Spann, Ike Turner, Earl Hooker, and many others. Born of Native American ancestry, he got his nickname as a child in Greenville, Mississippi thanks to his long flowing hair. Growing up, he learned to play several instruments including church organ, guitar, tuba and vibraphone. In 1947, he began his musical career by touring as the pianist for several blues bands, often backing bigger blues names during his time on the road. Big Moose Walker served three years in the U.S. Army (1952-1955) before he was able to continue his musical career. He had released several singles – including “Talkin’ ‘Bout Me” – under a variety of names but his career didn’t pick up again until he became sideman for Earl Hooker and Elmore James. Relocating to Chicago, Illinois in the late 1950s, Big Moose Walker spent the next decade accompanying Otis Rush, Sunnyland Slim, Howlin’ Wolf, and Muddy Waters, for whom he played bass guitar. Big Moose Walker was a sideman on Junior Wells’ best-known hit, “Messin’ with the Kid” in 1960, also recording sides with Elmore James. and also recorded with Elmore James. He continued to record with other blues greats throughout the 1960s including Muddy Waters, Earl Hooker, Jimmy Dawkins, and Mighty Joe Young. Big Moose Walker released his debut solo album, Ramblin’ Woman, in 1970. He continued to play alongside other blues greats throughout the ‘70s, releasing his next studio album, Going Home Tomorrow, in 1980. That was followed by Blue Love (1984), and Mellow Down Easy (1992). Several strokes in the early 1990s brought an end to his performing career. Big Moose Walker died in a nursing home on November 27, 1999.

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