Mel Walker

1929 (age 35)

In 1949 he was discovered by Johnny Otis and joined his band, singing with Otis until around 1953. On many recordings he featured in duets with Little Esther (Phillips), and also recorded with The Robins. Walker was credited as lead singer on many of Otis" earliest and biggest Rhythm & Blues hits, including "Mistrustin" Blues" and "Cupid Boogie", both of which reached #1 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart in 1950, and "Rockin" Blues", an Rhythm & Blues #2 hit in 1951. He also recorded Floyd Dixon"s song "Call Operator 210", a #4 Rhythm & Blues chart hit in 1952. Walker was jailed on narcotics charges in the early 1950s and was reported to have died young. He may be the Melvin Lightsey whose body was found in an alley in Los Angeles on April 23, 1964, after an apparent drug overdose.

Mel Walker

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Background

He grew up in Los Angeles and attended Jefferson High School with Floyd Dixon.

Career

In 1949 he was discovered by Johnny Otis and joined his band, singing with Otis until around 1953. On many recordings he featured in duets with Little Esther (Phillips), and also recorded with The Robins. Walker was credited as lead singer on many of Otis" earliest and biggest Rhythm & Blues hits, including "Mistrustin" Blues" and "Cupid Boogie", both of which reached #1 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart in 1950, and "Rockin" Blues", an Rhythm & Blues #2 hit in 1951.

He also recorded Floyd Dixon"s song "Call Operator 210", a #4 Rhythm & Blues chart hit in 1952.

Walker was jailed on narcotics charges in the early 1950s and was reported to have died young. He may be the Melvin Lightsey whose body was found in an alley in Los Angeles on April 23, 1964, after an apparent drug overdose.

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Mel Walker

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