Walker wrote Mr. Bojangles in the 1960s and also recorded the song for his 1968 album of the same name. However, the song only became a hit when it was covered by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1970 and Sammy David Jr. in 1972 and later by many other artists.
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The country singer was born in 1942 in Oneonta, New York, and learned to play music as a teenager. Walker soon entered the New York folk scene. He toured the country before settling in Austin in the 1970s and focusing more on country.
Walker released dozens of albums and was the frontman of the Lost Gonzo Band for years. He was also a source of inspiration for various colleagues. Jimmy Buffett said that the singer had an important role in his career.
