Jerry Jeff Walker, outlaw country great and "Mr. Bojangles" writer, dead at 78
Singer, songwriter and outlaw country vet Jerry Jeff Walker has died after a long battle with throat cancer and other health problems. He was 78.
Born Ronald Clyde Crosby in Oneonta, NY, he spent time in Florida and New Orleans before heading to NYC for the early-’60s Greenwich Village folk scene, having adopted the Walker moniker. With Bob Bruno he formed Circus Maximus who recorded two albums before breaking up in 1968. That same year, Walker released “Mr Bojangles” — also the name of his solo debut — which would be a hit for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1971 and has been recorded by everyone from Dolly Parton and Cat Stevens to Sammy Davis Jr and William Shatner.
Walker moved to Austin in 1971 where he began performing in the city’s thriving “outlaw” country scene that included Waylon Jennings, Guy Clark, Willie Nelson and Townes Van Zandt. He scored a minor 1972 hit with a cover of Guy Clark’s “L.A. Freeway” and the next year released live album ¡Viva Terlingua! which is considered an outlaw country touchstone and includes his famed cover of Ray Wylie Hubbard’s “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother.” In the ’80s, Walker ditched major labels and started his own, Tried & True Music.
“‘Outlaw country’ made it sound like you had to go to jail to be an artist, but it’s just that some people like Waylon and Willie were outside the business [norm],” Walker told Rolling Stone. “People said, ‘We’re different, but we’re not hillbilly country.’ We didn’t blacken our teeth and wear baggy pants, we just liked cowboys and played like that.”
Rest in peace, Jerry. Read tributes from fellow artists and fans — including Bill Clinton, Jason Isbell, and more — and listen to some of his music, below.
We are very sorry to learn of the death of the great Texas singer/songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker, a guiding light in Austin and Texas music in general. We'll have more to say about him and his ACL legacy on Monday. https://t.co/iqorwCUtjI
— Austin City Limits (@acltv) October 24, 2020
I was saddened to hear about the passing of Jerry Jeff Walker. I’ll never forget seeing him at the Armadillo music hall in Austin in 1972, or his performance for my 1992 campaign the night before Election Day. He was a true original, and his music will live on.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) October 24, 2020
Me and @amandashires were backing up @ToddSnider one night in Austin and Jerry Jeff jumped up and did Mr Bojangles with us, and he took his shoes off when got onstage so he could dance. #RIPJerryJeff
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) October 24, 2020
One day I’d like to be an old man who dances onstage like John Prine and Jerry Jeff Walker.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) October 24, 2020
https://t.co/hOtdg0qq33 https://t.co/w0m9CFNJI8
— Ol’ Monster Shires (@amandashires) October 24, 2020
Willie Nelson and Jerry Jeff Walker happened upon Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos in April 1975 and put on a legendary show according to those lucky enough to be present. pic.twitter.com/eHwEhuk9z5
— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) October 24, 2020
JERRY JEFF WALKER GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) October 24, 2020
I went to a Chicago radio station early one morning in 1993 because there was a rumor Pete Townshend might show up to do an interview. I was hoping I could meet Pete. I shared an elevator with a man carrying a guitar so I introduced myself. It was Jerry Jeff Walker.
— Jason Narducy (@SplitSingleband) October 24, 2020
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Texas music legend and our friend, Jerry Jeff Walker. We have been lucky to make many memories with JJW over the years and will miss him greatly.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time. pic.twitter.com/3WC3tXURjM
— Billy Bob's Texas (@BillyBobsTexas) October 24, 2020
Rest In Peace, legend & fellow Austinite. The music world suffers a huge loss. 💔@jerryjeffwalker pic.twitter.com/H0oOsjRIIq
— Christopher Cross (@itsMrCross) October 24, 2020