Dammit, another great, from a generation of greatness. A New York, Yankee, turned Cosmic Texan. He was one of a kind. Coming of age in the early 70's, he was one of the many performers I saw live, when they were at the height of their popularity.

Grew up listening to him in his prime early years. There will never be another one like him.

One less Redneck to kick hippies asses.

He sang one of the best verses I've ever heard at Shulenberg one hot summer evening in 1999

M is fer da mudflaps on my pickup truck
O is fer da oil on my hair
T is fer Titties
h is fer Humongous titties
E is fer Eeeeeenormous titties
R is fer redneck

His mother raised her son so well.


This one hurts.

Getting off that LA Freeway and playing in a music hall in heaven.
Saw him at a private concert in the 90s. Great show.

RIP Jerry Jeff.

Ironic that a native New Yorker could turn into a Texas legend, but Jerry Jeff created a unique sound that has been copied many times over and will never be forgotten.

I can't remember how many times our group sat at the Chicken listening to his songs, and everyone singing along to Jaded Lover, Pissing In The Wind, Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother, etc.

Good memories!

We've lost a great one!

My Dad would put in the 8-track tape of Viva Terlingua on our family drives from Houston to San Antonio in the late 70's. Got to see him live at Fitzgeralds. RIP Mr. Jerry Jeff.

Mr. Ectomy said:

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Ironic that a native New Yorker could turn into a Texas legend, but Jerry Jeff created a unique sound that has been copied many times over and will never be forgotten.

I can't remember how many times our group sat at the Chicken listening to his songs, and everyone singing along to Jaded Lover, Pissing In The Wind, Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother, etc.

Good memories!

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love Jerry Jeff but most of the songs he is famous for are covers.

He was the headliner for Festival on the Square in Tyler in 2001. It was the first show that I went to without my parents. Red Wing boots and a can of snuff (big deal for a 14 year old) on me, I knew every word to every song, and I remember feeling like the live Texas music scene was for me. I thought I loved Texas music and everything with it before, but Jerry Jeff that night fully converted me. It was a night I won't forget, and he will be missed.

Ragoo said:

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Mr. Ectomy said:

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Ironic that a native New Yorker could turn into a Texas legend, but Jerry Jeff created a unique sound that has been copied many times over and will never be forgotten.

I can't remember how many times our group sat at the Chicken listening to his songs, and everyone singing along to Jaded Lover, Pissing In The Wind, Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother, etc.

Good memories!

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love Jerry Jeff but most of the songs he is famous for are covers.

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Wait til you hear about George Strait

Back in the late 70's I had a non-reg friend who lived off campus in a trailer park...I used to get off campus about one night a week in those days and occasionally I'd go to his place and we'd drink on a bottle of Jack Daniel's and listen to Jerry Jeff Walker albums over and over...it was a much needed short break from Corps life and helped me get through a tough year...I really hate to hear this news...the suck of this year just keeps coming.

My brother used to work for Willie, and I got to meet Jerry Jeff through him. Partied with him several times. Got to hear him live many times, but also got to hear him just kind of jam with Willie and several other top musicians a couple of times at Willie's place at Pedernales County Club at private get together.

Jerry Jeff no doubt had his own level of fame, both as a performer and a song writer, but I think the most significant thing he did was inspire a whole bunch of other musicians. Just think of the iconic nature of the song 'Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother' and how big a deal it was in the era of the 70s and 80s. Others too. Although he didn't write 'London Homesick Blues', his rendition of the song was practically a national anthem for Texas Music of that era. The music was coming out of primarily Austin and the epicenter was Armadillo World Headquarters. It was as real as it gets, and the world was taking notice. It wasn't just Jerry Jeff, but he was a big part of it. It's really the heart and soul of what made Austin the live music mecca that it is today.

Mr Bojangles was a whole other story on it's own. The Nitty-gritty Dirt Band version was a huge hit. It became the theme song for Sammy Davis Jr. That is just huge right there when you think of how Jerry Jeff is not typically associated with Vegas acts or the Rat Pack. A testament to the universal appeal of really good music and it's ability to convey a story.

In 2005, the company I worked for booked him for our Christmas party. 90% of the people they had on the team were 25-26 year old and younger recent college graduates. I remember when we announced it, nearly every one of them were going 'Who?!?', and I just really felt sad at that moment. So many of them had never been aware of not just his music,
but how significant the original Texas music scene from his era was. Every dog has his day, and I kind of realized then how much had changed since Jerry Jeff was making music history.

Pour one out for old Jerry Jeff and remember the huge footprints he left on the Texas music and 'Outlaw Country' scene. I will never forget you Jerry Jeff Walker.

In August 1975 I left my lifelong home in Connecticut and headed to College Station to begin my fish year. To say I was a duck out of water was an understatement!

I moved into Aston Hall, met someone who was from Houston but who lived in Connecticut for a few years as his father was transferred to NYC. Not knowing anyone, I immediately said 'yes' when he asked me if I wanted to go to the Chicken. I honestly thought I was going to a Southern Fried Chicken restaurant.

When we got there the first thing I saw were four guys drinking Lone Star longnecks and playing 42. I thought I was on the set of a John Wayne movie.

And then there was the music. It wasn't what I was accustomed to...Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, Yes, The Moody Blues, Deep Purple...but some guy named Jerry Jeff Walker. When Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother played the entire crowd erupted. It wasn't my cup of tea...but over the next couple of months I got hooked on Jerry Jeff.

Fast forward to Christmas break. I flew home to Connecticut and popped a cassette of Jerry Jeff into the player, and turned up the volume. From another room I heard my mother yell, 'What is that **** kicker music you're playing?"

God Bless Jerry Jeff Walker. He was an icon.

First time I saw him live was at Willie Nelson's 1974 4th of July Picnic at Texas World Speedway. Next time I saw him was at G Rollie where he was so drunk he could barely stand up.

A lot of these cosmic cowboys I came of age with in the mid-70's are dying off. Jerry Jeff, Guy Clark, Steve Fromholz....

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love Jerry Jeff but most of the songs he is famous for are covers.

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Why the "but?" He always credited and promoted songwriters he covered. It's really unlikely that you would know who Ray Wylie Hubbard was otherwise. And it's not exactly unusual for people to sing songs that other people wrote.

And yet, he did write the song he's always been most famous for outside of Texas.

Just an awareness really. I still think many people, even those posting on the several "tribute" threads across texags, don't realize that there are other great artists behind those songs that he made famous.

I like his music a lot, but I'll keep my thoughts on him as a person to myself, out of respect for the dead.

Hey TH!

Feel better now?

Ragoo said:

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Just an awareness really. I still think many people, even those posting on the several "tribute" threads across texags, don't realize that there are other great artists behind those songs that he made famous.

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Works both ways. I liked Mr. Bojangles from the Sammy Davis Jr. and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band covers before i knew who Ron Crosby was.

Duckhook said:

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First time I saw him live was at Willie Nelson's 1974 4th of July Picnic at Texas World Speedway. Next time I saw him was at G Rollie where he was so drunk he could barely stand up.

A lot of these cosmic cowboys I came of age with in the mid-70's are dying off. Jerry Jeff, Guy Clark, Steve Fromholz....

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Saw him at Gruene Hall.

aeon-ag said:

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Duckhook said:

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First time I saw him live was at Willie Nelson's 1974 4th of July Picnic at Texas World Speedway. Next time I saw him was at G Rollie where he was so drunk he could barely stand up.

A lot of these cosmic cowboys I came of age with in the mid-70's are dying off. Jerry Jeff, Guy Clark, Steve Fromholz....

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Saw him at Gruene Hall.

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Ha, that's actually the last place I saw him. Had to be 8 - 10 years ago.

42 said:

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I like his music a lot, but I'll keep my thoughts on him as a person to myself, out of respect for the dead.

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Virtue is hard to maintain, sanctimony not so much. Waiting for you to illuminate us all.

I was actually talking about needing to try and see him before he wasn't around anymore the day before I heard he had passed.

My dad was class of '78 at A&M and he and his friends were big fans of JJW, he and others in that scene bring back so many amazing childhood memories. Dad died young from cancer in 2012 and every time I hear JJW or Willie or Gary P. Nunn it makes me think of him.

1939 said:

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I was actually talking about needing to try and see him before he wasn't around anymore the day before I heard he had passed.

My dad was class of '78 at A&M and he and his friends were big fans of JJW, he and others in that scene bring back so many amazing childhood memories. Dad died young from cancer in 2012 and every time I hear JJW or Willie or Gary P. Nunn it makes me think of him.

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Same.

My dad about 8 years ago switched from a flip phone to my ol iPhone 4 which had a lot of songs on iTunes, including viva Terlingua. Dad was an old school Hispanic who loved norteno and rock n roll, so to come home at times with him drinking on the patio jamming JJW would be a shock. It even got to the point where he would sing me the lyric when I asked "what have you been up to?"

"Gettin by on getting by is my stock and trade. Living it day to day."

Dad's been gone 4 years now and I still get Teary eyed whenever I hear some Scamp Walker.

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Although he didn't write 'London Homesick Blues', his rendition of the song was practically a national anthem for Texas Music of that era.

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I know you probably know this, but I think many are confused. The rendition of London Homesick Blues on Viva Terlingua is not JJW singing - it is Gary P Nunn. JJW was very gracious to allow Gary to sing that song and include it on his album but make no mistake JJW is playing guitar on that song and maybe singing background vocals. Gary P is the lead singer on the rendition you call the national anthem of Texas.

And yes I love JJW

https://www.texasmonthly.com/list/the-secret-history-of-texas-music/london-homesick-blues-1973/

and now Billy Joe...
Ray Wiley better take some extra vitamins.

https://www.kxxv.com/hometown/mclennan-county/billy-joe-shaver-dies-from-massive-stroke-at-81

Somebody go wrap Willie in bubble wrap.

Bobby Petrino`s Neckbrace said:

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Somebody go wrap Willie in bubble wrap.

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And Kristofferson...

I've been listening to my 61 song Jerry Jeff Walker playlist on a continual loop since the day he died.

RIP Scamp Walker