He was born in Hernando, Mississippi, and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where he started singing with local gospel groups.

In 1960, while touring, Walker and a bandmate decided to stay in Minneapolis with a member of another gospel group, the Royal Jubileers, rather than returning to Memphis.

Due to a misunderstanding he missed the opportunity to be promoted by influential radio DJ John Richbourg, and Goldwax refused to release him from his contract to allow him to work with Curtis Mayfield.

He performed at weekends, singing with a voice described as "a mélange of Sam Cooke, Al Green and Otis Redding.

[3][4] Walker died at his home in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in November 2019, aged 77, shortly after returning from a recording session.