Jimmy McCracklin(1921-2012)
- Composer
- Soundtrack
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".