Ronnie Walker RIP

I like many on here had the pleasure of seeing him perform not to long ago. Nice guy. .Sleep well

R.I.P Ronnie

This is the saddest news. He was such a lovely, humble man who couldn't have been nicer to me everytime I saw him x

sad news Des, thanks for passing it on

always come across as a great guy

RIP Ronnie
 

Very sad.

Amazing career and unique voice.

Just browsing and came across this gem.

Hope it's the same Ronnie ! Never heard it out but looks like he also wrote it. Only ever heard the Agents version.

Ed

Ed. it is indeed the same Ronnie a demo track released many years later. Thanks for the music Mr Walker

Cheers Paul

Sorry to hear this. One of the Soul pack records I was very pleased to keep from back in the day:

 

Probably a candidate for the "Blurred Line" thread too.

 

Spoke to Ronnie just last week....This truly has me floored....R.I.P. Ronnie...thanks for being a friend

Once again a crack has appeared on the heart of Philadelphia's musical landscape. The passing of Ronnie Walker is particularly poignant as he had, over the past 15 years, become such a favourite of his UK fanbase that took him to their hearts as he enamoured them with his pitch perfect voice, personal humility and soft spoken manner. Many of our now aging heroes struggle to recapture their recorded legacy accurately when thrust in front of a microphone and real soulfans understand and respect that but with Ronnie it was a guaranteed home run every time he cleared his throat and transported us all back to a wonderful time in our lives. 
I remember when he was appearing in Benidorm and we (Bunny Sigler, Dean Courtney, the band and myself), met up in the ballroom for our first show rehearsal. Ronnie had no hesitation in stepping up first on the stage, a quick word with Al the bandleader and whoosh, he was off and running. He ran through all his planned set list without missing a single beat, placed the mic back on the stand and spoke into it one single word.... NEXT! LOL! Of all the artists I've ever had the privilege to work with Ronnie was the slickest and there was a reason for that.... He could sing! I mean really sing! That large frame hid a beautiful high tenor voice that embraced the Philly style so eloquently. He was like a powdered hand in a calfskin glove. So, sad as it is that he has left us, I for one will not dwell on his passing but rather, celebrate his musical achievements and especially that he finally saw and felt the love we had for him and his work. Sleep well my friend and congratulations on a job extremely well done. Dave 

Rest in peace Ronnie.

Remember seeing him perform at Solid Hit Soul, some years ago now, and buying a copy of On and On, which he signed the sleeve of.

 

Another gone, some great memory tracks from him. Sadly it's only the music that's timeless. 

 

R.I.P. Ronnie

Ronnie was a great person to sit and chat with, remember standing outside a basement club in Greek Street chatting about life and family with him. His music expressed his life, both good and bad parts. 

Will be sorely missed. 

@Dave Moore a lovely tribute Dave

R.I.P Sir......

Rest in Peace Ronnie Walker 

x Prestatyn x 

Truly sad news of a wonderful, friendly and talented man.

Lots of memories of Ronnie, at Chris and Marcelle Watermans New Century All-Nighters being back stage before the show

and later the surprise appearance for her birthday.

Ronnie would keep in touch with messages out of the blue via facebook.

A great songwriter, performer and gentleman it was a privilege to meet him.

R I P X

Very sad news,the record Precious is a absolute soul masterpiece and I am grateful I  got to see him perform it.Ronnie was a very influential figure on the Philly Soul Scene and his records done well enough locally to get national attention.What many perhaps many do not know is that he was also a talented  writer and co writer having penned tracks for The Agents and Esther Phillips to name a few.

Like most from Philly he was as humble as you could be and I cannot think of many to match that incredible falsetto voice.

RIP X

4 hours ago, hold tight said:

Ronnie was a great person to sit and chat with, remember standing outside a basement club in Greek Street chatting about life and family with him. His music expressed his life, both good and bad parts. 

Will be sorely missed. 

That was the night before his first appearance at Solid Hit i think Mark when we went to China Town for a meal with Ronnie & Dave Brown & on to that club which was more like somebodies front room with a bar & a single mono record player for the music from memory. A great night with a great & friendly guy spinning stories of various recording sessions & who was playing on them etc etc. Such sad news, thanks for passing on Des.

Thanks for the music & the very short time I was able to spend in your company.

RIP Ronnie x

Am still missing some of his material, but I'd wish I had all of his releases. One day Don't think there's many artist whom I am found of all their releases... Ronnie sounds (sings) like he's one of the good guys indeed. Humble, whole and kind. And he is still for sure; up there. Only few can dare and cover Smokey & the Miracles to make it even bigger and better;  ronnie walker poor boy.mp3 Hats off !

36 minutes ago, tlscapital said:

Am still missing some of his material, but I'd wish I had all of his releases. One day Don't think there's many artist whom I am found of all their releases... Ronnie sounds (sings) like he's one of the good guys indeed. Humble, whole and kind. And he is still for sure; up there. Only few can dare and cover Smokey & the Miracles to make it even bigger and better;  ronnie walker poor boy.mp3 Hats off !

He sang it live at Solid Hit (& i guess at his other UK dates) absolutely brilliant !

Very sad news.

R.I.P. Ronnie.

2 hours ago, SHSDave said:

That was the night before his first appearance at Solid Hit i think Mark when we went to China Town for a meal with Ronnie & Dave Brown & on to that club which was more like somebodies front room with a bar & a single mono record player for the music from memory. A great night with a great & friendly guy spinning stories of various recording sessions & who was playing on them etc etc. Such sad news, thanks for passing on Des.

Thanks for the music & the very short time I was able to spend in your company.

RIP Ronnie x

Spot on Dave, fantastic night, think it was the Thursday night, then SHS on the Friday was packed to the back wall. Brilliant memories. 

I remember they played this about 5 times one night at Samanthas when it was released.  Not one of his best but it was perfect for the time

 

21 hours ago, Dave Moore said:

Once again a crack has appeared on the heart of Philadelphia's musical landscape. The passing of Ronnie Walker is particularly poignant as he had, over the past 15 years, become such a favourite of his UK fanbase that took him to their hearts as he enamoured them with his pitch perfect voice, personal humility and soft spoken manner. Many of our now aging heroes struggle to recapture their recorded legacy accurately when thrust in front of a microphone and real soulfans understand and respect that but with Ronnie it was a guaranteed home run every time he cleared his throat and transported us all back to a wonderful time in our lives. 
I remember when he was appearing in Benidorm and we (Bunny Sigler, Dean Courtney, the band and myself), met up in the ballroom for our first show rehearsal. Ronnie had no hesitation in stepping up first on the stage, a quick word with Al the bandleader and whoosh, he was off and running. He ran through all his planned set list without missing a single beat, placed the mic back on the stand and spoke into it one single word.... NEXT! LOL! Of all the artists I've ever had the privilege to work with Ronnie was the slickest and there was a reason for that.... He could sing! I mean really sing! That large frame hid a beautiful high tenor voice that embraced the Philly style so eloquently. He was like a powdered hand in a calfskin glove. So, sad as it is that he has left us, I for one will not dwell on his passing but rather, celebrate his musical achievements and especially that he finally saw and felt the love we had for him and his work. Sleep well my friend and congratulations on a job extremely well done. Dave 

Someday is a great compilation and only about a fiver on Discogs

 I feel very privileged to have his Gala 45 ' In search of love'. To my ears one of the truly great falsetto lead deep soul masterpieces, sadly overlooked in deep soul circles . Thankyou Ronnie. R.I.P

Thanks for recommendation ... superb!! ... can be found on YouTube here:

 

.. and another 'worthy' track 'Precious':

 

from all of us old torch attendees   to ronnie...............yep..............."YOUR THE ONE " ..r. i .p

Really Really Love You is a truly outstanding Sweet Soul track - and just noticed on YT that Ronnie posted that it was the only one of his releases that made the National charts.

 

So sad - feel priviliged to have seen Ronnie on a number of  occasions, thanks to Des - R.I.P Ronnie , a true soul man..

He was really nice with everybody. Great man and grat voice, wonderful songs to remember him.