WALTER DAVIS

Biography

Walter Davis was born on March 1, 1911 (or 1912), on a farm in Grenada, Mississippi, and ran away from home at age 13 or 14, arriving in St. Louis, Missouri, where he immersed himself in the local blues scene. He began his musical career singing alongside pianist Roosevelt Sykes and guitarist Henry Townsend, making his recording debut in 1930 with the successful 'M&O Blues,' accompanied by Sykes on piano. Influenced by Leroy Carr, Davis developed a mournful vocal tone, reflective style, and superior lyrics, blending melancholy, humor, and double entendres in his songs like 'Sunnyland Blues,' 'Come Back Baby,' 'Ashes in My Whiskey,' and 'Think You Need a Shot.'[1][3]

From 1930 to 1952, Davis became one of the most prolific blues recording artists, producing over 150 sides for labels including Victor, Bluebird, Supertone, and Montgomery Ward, often featuring guitarists Henry Townsend and Big Joe Williams. His rich, expressive voice rivaled top Delta blues vocalists, though his idiosyncratic piano playing was equally distinctive. Despite his recording success, including the 1940 hit 'Come Back Baby' (later covered by Ray Charles and Lowell Fulson), Davis was reportedly bashful about live performances, rarely playing clubs or parties, with his name sometimes misused by others for bookings. He occasionally performed in St. Louis hotels once established.[1][3]

In 1952, a stroke ended Davis's recording career, and as his style fell out of fashion, he worked as a hotel desk clerk and part-time preacher until his death on October 22, 1963, in St. Louis at about age 52. Posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2005, his legacy endures through covered standards like '13 Highway' (Muddy Waters) and 'Angel Child' (Memphis Slim), with a headstone placed on his unmarked grave in 2012 by the Killer Blues Headstone Project.[1][3]

Fun Facts

• Davis was sometimes billed as 'Hooker Joe' on recordings.
• Despite his prolific output, he was extremely bashful about public performances and rarely played live gigs, according to collaborator Henry Townsend.
• His name was falsely used by other musicians for club bookings in the 1930s without his involvement.
• In 2012, a headstone was placed on his previously unmarked grave at Greenwood Cemetery through the Killer Blues Headstone Project, unveiled at the Big Muddy Blues Festival.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Leroy Carr - primary stylistic influence on vocal tone and reflective style (general influence on Davis's recordings) [1930s]
• Roosevelt Sykes - early singing partner and pianist on debut recordings ('M&O Blues' (1930)) [late 1920s-1930]

Key Collaborators

• Henry Townsend - frequent guitarist on recordings and occasional live partner; wrote songs for Davis (over 150 recordings including 'Tears Came Rollin' Down'; St. Louis hotel performances) [1930s-1940s]
• Big Joe Williams - guitarist on many recordings (various Victor/Bluebird sessions) [1930s-1940s]
• Roosevelt Sykes - pianist on early recordings ('M&O Blues' and other 1930 sessions) [1930]

Artists Influenced

• Ray Charles - covered Davis's hit song turning it into a Top 10 R&B success ('Come Back Baby' (1955)) [1950s]
• Muddy Waters - recorded Davis's song as a standard ('13 Highway') [post-1940s]
• Memphis Slim - Top 10 hit with Davis's song ('Angel Child' (1949)) [1940s]
• Lowell Fulson - covered Davis's hit ('Come Back Baby') [post-1940]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia