Journeyman drummer, vocalist, and occasional solo artist
Jimmy Walker has been active since the early '60s. Despite a variety of affiliations, his best-known recordings remain his hits with
the Knickerbockers, including the eerie "Liar, Liar."
Walker was part of the original lineup of this New Jersey garage rock group, formed in 1964. Prior to that he had been the drummer with
the Castle Kings, a combo with an Atco recording contract. Producer
Jerry Fuller was
Walker's credited writing partner on a pair of songs recorded by
the Knickerbockers that, when combined together, sound a bit like a conversation between a waitress and a buffet patron, "Can You Help Me" and "Come and Get It."
Walker walked on
the Knickerbockers in 1967, going on to replace
Bill Medley in
the Righteous Brothers. This higher visibility, from drummer to one of two frontmen, would lead to recording three singles as a solo act for Columbia. Nothing much happened as a result of these sides, however, inspiring
Walker to retire from music. He spent a good deal of the '70s in Wyoming, and also worked with soul-funk bands
Oasis and
Hot Street.
–
Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi