Local super-bassist Chris Walker passed away July 3 from serious injuries sustained in a 2007 car accident. He was 42. —-
Walker’s stellar musical abilities were showcased all over the Cincinnati music scene for the past few decades. His cool, kind nature and those mad bass skills earned him a place in innumerable bands throughout his career and his talent knew no genre boundaries, as he seemed comfortable (if not masterful) playing almost any style of music. Walker held down the bottom end for local bands like Big Whiskey, IsWhat?!, Derrick Sanders Soul Expression and Conrail Saints (to name but a fraction), as well as Heavy Weather and The Walker Project with his sister Carole.
Walker was paralyzed from the waist down and lost motor skills in his hands following the 2007 accident that killed his friend/travel partner Julie Martin. Most in the local music community were stunned and several banded together to form the “Friends for Chris Walker” organization, which put together many benefit concerts for Chris in the years since his accident (Chris got to attend several of the events in person and he also made an appearance at the 2008 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards). Chris’ initial survival of the wreck ensured that he knew how loved he was in the local music scene. (Check Chris’ Facebook page for a sample of the outpouring of support that came after the announcement of his passing here.)
A memorial service for Walker will be held Saturday at the Crossroads Community Church in Oakley beginning at 10 a.m. The service will be followed by a celebration of Chris’ life at Stanley’s Pub from 2-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that people make a donation to the musicians assistance group Play It Forward in Chris’ name.
This article appears in Jun 30 – Jul 6, 2010.
