19 March 1938, Pensacola, Florida, USA, d. 20 June 1983. Crippled by polio as a child, Jackson spent much of his life on crutches. This disability imbued his work with a greater pathos. Walter recorded in 1959 as a member of the Velvetones, but his solo career unfolded on signing to the OKeh label.
It's All Over (1964), a Curtis Mayfield-penned ballad, was Jackson's first
R&B hit. It was followed by exceptional performances such as Welcome Home
(1965) and It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom (1966), both of which reached
the soul Top 20. However, the singer's definitive, towering version of 'My
Ship is Comin' In' (first recorded by Jimmy Radcliffe and later by the Walker
Brothers), sadly failed to chart. Walter later recorded for Cotillion and
Brunswick, but between 1973 and 1976 he retired from active performing.
Jackson returned with a series of minor hits, including an interpretation of
Morris Albert's Feelings, but his health was now deteriorating. Jackson died
of a cerebral haemorrhage in 1983.
During 1982/83, Jackson enjoyed two minor UK club hits with 'Touchin' In The
Dark' and 'It's Cool'. Both were absolute, instant, soul classics. Ones that
fuelled many intimate encounters on the dance floor, at that time.(Ahem) He died
shortly after and a magnificent album was released in honour, called Portrait Of
Walter Jackson, which included the two previously mentioned cuts, some new
material and some earlier stuff he recorded for Chi-Town.Find that LP and Buy
It!