Blues Singer and Songwriter Jimmy McCracklin Dies at 91

According to The New York Times, blues singer, pianist and songwriter Jimmy McCracklin died on Thursday, December 20, 2012. He was 91.

Read the original report here.

McCracklin was best known in the West Coast blues scene and for his 1950s song "The Walk", which was recorded with his band, the Blues Blasters, for Checker Records. "The Walk" has since been covered by quite a few musical artists, including the Beatles.

Aside from "The Walk", McCracklin released more than 20 albums and wrote and recorded songs such as "Think", "Just Got to Know", "Shame, Shame, Shame" and "My Answer". His song "Tramp" was never recorded but soared into popularity in the late '60s after it was recorded by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas.

McCracklin's first record, "Miss Mattie Left Me" was released in 1945. His final album, "Hey Baby", was released in 2010.

Pictured: Jimmy McCracklin in London, UK, at the 100 Club in March 1981. Photo by Lionel Decoster.