Jump to content

Ronnie Walker RIP

It is with utmost sadness that I inform members that Ronnie died on Tuesday night. Words cannot express the high regard with which I held for this man.

R.I.P. Ronnie

 



  • Up vote 8
  • Listening now 1

Members Comments

Recommended Comments

Very sad.

Amazing career and unique voice.

Just browsing and came across this gem.

Hope it's the same Ronnie ! Never heard it out but looks like he also wrote it. Only ever heard the Agents version.

Ed

  • Up vote 2
Link to comment
Social source share

Ed. it is indeed the same Ronnie a demo track released many years later. Thanks for the music Mr Walker

Cheers Paul

Edited by soul shrews
comma
  • Up vote 1
Link to comment
Social source share

Sorry to hear this. One of the Soul pack records I was very pleased to keep from back in the day:

 

Probably a candidate for the "Blurred Line" thread too.

 

  • Up vote 3
Link to comment
Social source share

Ronnie was a great person to sit and chat with, remember standing outside a basement club in Greek Street chatting about life and family with him. His music expressed his life, both good and bad parts. 

Will be sorely missed. 

  • Up vote 3
Link to comment
Social source share

Truly sad news of a wonderful, friendly and talented man.

Lots of memories of Ronnie, at Chris and Marcelle Watermans New Century All-Nighters being back stage before the show

and later the surprise appearance for her birthday.

Ronnie would keep in touch with messages out of the blue via facebook.

A great songwriter, performer and gentleman it was a privilege to meet him.

R I P X

  • Up vote 2
Link to comment
Social source share

Very sad news,the record Precious is a absolute soul masterpiece and I am grateful I  got to see him perform it.Ronnie was a very influential figure on the Philly Soul Scene and his records done well enough locally to get national attention.What many perhaps many do not know is that he was also a talented  writer and co writer having penned tracks for The Agents and Esther Phillips to name a few.

Like most from Philly he was as humble as you could be and I cannot think of many to match that incredible falsetto voice.

RIP X

  • Up vote 2
Link to comment
Social source share

4 hours ago, hold tight said:

Ronnie was a great person to sit and chat with, remember standing outside a basement club in Greek Street chatting about life and family with him. His music expressed his life, both good and bad parts. 

Will be sorely missed. 

That was the night before his first appearance at Solid Hit i think Mark when we went to China Town for a meal with Ronnie & Dave Brown & on to that club which was more like somebodies front room with a bar & a single mono record player for the music from memory. A great night with a great & friendly guy spinning stories of various recording sessions & who was playing on them etc etc. Such sad news, thanks for passing on Des.

Thanks for the music & the very short time I was able to spend in your company.

RIP Ronnie x

  • Up vote 2
Link to comment
Social source share

Am still missing some of his material, but I'd wish I had all of his releases. One day 😉 Don't think there's many artist whom I am found of all their releases... Ronnie sounds (sings) like he's one of the good guys indeed. Humble, whole and kind. And he is still for sure; up there. Only few can dare and cover Smokey & the Miracles to make it even bigger and better;  ronnie walker poor boy.mp3 Hats off !

  • Up vote 2
Link to comment
Social source share

36 minutes ago, tlscapital said:

Am still missing some of his material, but I'd wish I had all of his releases. One day 😉 Don't think there's many artist whom I am found of all their releases... Ronnie sounds (sings) like he's one of the good guys indeed. Humble, whole and kind. And he is still for sure; up there. Only few can dare and cover Smokey & the Miracles to make it even bigger and better;  ronnie walker poor boy.mp3 Hats off !

He sang it live at Solid Hit (& i guess at his other UK dates) absolutely brilliant !

  • Up vote 2
Link to comment
Social source share

2 hours ago, SHSDave said:

That was the night before his first appearance at Solid Hit i think Mark when we went to China Town for a meal with Ronnie & Dave Brown & on to that club which was more like somebodies front room with a bar & a single mono record player for the music from memory. A great night with a great & friendly guy spinning stories of various recording sessions & who was playing on them etc etc. Such sad news, thanks for passing on Des.

Thanks for the music & the very short time I was able to spend in your company.

RIP Ronnie x

Spot on Dave, fantastic night, think it was the Thursday night, then SHS on the Friday was packed to the back wall. Brilliant memories. 

  • Up vote 2
Link to comment
Social source share

21 hours ago, Dave Moore said:

Once again a crack has appeared on the heart of Philadelphia's musical landscape. The passing of Ronnie Walker is particularly poignant as he had, over the past 15 years, become such a favourite of his UK fanbase that took him to their hearts as he enamoured them with his pitch perfect voice, personal humility and soft spoken manner. Many of our now aging heroes struggle to recapture their recorded legacy accurately when thrust in front of a microphone and real soulfans understand and respect that but with Ronnie it was a guaranteed home run every time he cleared his throat and transported us all back to a wonderful time in our lives. 
I remember when he was appearing in Benidorm and we (Bunny Sigler, Dean Courtney, the band and myself), met up in the ballroom for our first show rehearsal. Ronnie had no hesitation in stepping up first on the stage, a quick word with Al the bandleader and whoosh, he was off and running. He ran through all his planned set list without missing a single beat, placed the mic back on the stand and spoke into it one single word.... NEXT! LOL! Of all the artists I've ever had the privilege to work with Ronnie was the slickest and there was a reason for that.... He could sing! I mean really sing! That large frame hid a beautiful high tenor voice that embraced the Philly style so eloquently. He was like a powdered hand in a calfskin glove. So, sad as it is that he has left us, I for one will not dwell on his passing but rather, celebrate his musical achievements and especially that he finally saw and felt the love we had for him and his work. Sleep well my friend and congratulations on a job extremely well done. Dave 1f609.png

😉

Someday is a great compilation and only about a fiver on Discogs

Link to comment
Social source share

 I feel very privileged to have his Gala 45 ' In search of love'. To my ears one of the truly great falsetto lead deep soul masterpieces, sadly overlooked in deep soul circles . Thankyou Ronnie. R.I.P

  • Up vote 1
Link to comment
Social source share

Really Really Love You is a truly outstanding Sweet Soul track - and just noticed on YT that Ronnie posted that it was the only one of his releases that made the National charts.

 

Link to comment
Social source share



Get involved with Soul Source

Add your comments now

Join Soul Source

A free & easy soul music affair!

Join Soul Source now!

Log in to Soul Source

Jump right back in!

Log in now!



×
×
  • Create New...