Phillip
Walker (born February 11, 1937, Welsh, Louisiana) is a contemporary
blues guitarist most noted for his 1959 hit single, "Hello My Darling",
produced by J.R. Fulbright. Although Walker has continued playing since
then, he has recorded fairly sparsely.
Career Walker grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast, and by his mid-teens
was playing guitar in Houston. He rubbed shoulders with Lonesome Sundown
(whom he would work again in the 1970s) and Lonnie Brooks. In the
mid-1950s he had a spell in Clifton Chenier's band. He spent the 1960s
in Los Angeles, California leading a band that played a catholic
repertoire of the R&B charts, joined by his singing wife Ina, alias Bea
Bopp. Singles furnished his album The Bottom of the Top (Playboy, 1973),
succeeded by sets for Joliet, Rounder, Hightone, JSP and Black Top.
Walker is also known for his variety of styles and the changes he
would often make for each album. Not until 1969 did he begin to record
more regularly when he joined with producer Bruce Bromberg. Since then,
fans of the blues guitarist have had a more steady supply of Walker's
music.
Walker's latest studio release is Going Back Home (2007) on Delta
Groove Productions.