Florida-born Walter Jackson moved in early life with his family to Detroit, where he formed a doo wop group called the Velvetones, managing one single. Although on crutches following childhood polio, Walter was soon singing in local clubs. In 1961 he was spotted by Columbia Records’ A&R man Carl Davis, who offered him a contract and asked that he move to Chicago. Three string-laden singles followed before Davis moved him to Columbia’s Okeh offshoot, where he began to record more contemporary soul sounds, with Curtis Mayfield helping out with songs and production. ‘It’s All Over’ became a hit in 1964, followed by three fine albums and other singles. He later recorded for Cotillion and Brunswick and in the mid-70s reunited with Carl Davis on his Chi-Sound label, hitting with ‘Feelings’. Walter died of a cerebral haemorrhage in 1983.
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