PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Blues guitarist and singer Phillip Walker, who backed such stars as Etta James and Lowell Fulson, has died. He was 73.
Marc Lipkin, publicity director for Alligator Records, said Mr. Walker died Thursday of heart failure in Palm Springs.
Mr. Walker performed for more than 50 years, recording many solo albums and touring with zydeco legend Clifton Chenier for two years.
In 1959, Mr. Walker moved to California, where he earned a reputation as one of the region’s top guitarists. He was a member of Little Richard’s band for a brief time.
Over the past decade, Mr. Walker continued to record albums and to tour, including a stint in South Africa in October 2009. His most recent album, “Going Back Home,’’ was released in 2007.
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