Jimmy McCracklin

Pianist/singer Jimmy McCracklin was born in 1921 in Arkansas but raised in St. Louis, MO. He served in the US Navy during World War II, and after the war he moved to Los Angeles, CA, to become a professional boxer, using the name Jimmy Mackey. He fought as a light-heavyweight, and won nearly two dozen bouts before deciding to leave boxing for a career as an R&B pianist, something he had been doing on the side during his boxing days. He met up with producer Robert Geddins in 1947 and recorded for Geddins' Cavatone label. He also released songs in a variety of genres--blues, R&B, big-band swing--for a succession of labels in the 1940s and 1950s. His first big hit, "The Walk", was recorded for Checker Records in 1958. He has recorded more singles and albums over the years, though none had the success of "The Walk".