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Clarence 'Tex' Walker

Clarence Walker, former lead singer of The Drifters and The Coasters, has died.

The R 'n' B legend died at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, following a heart attack at the King's Arms Hotel, in Woodstock.

As a child, Mr Walker was a leading voice in his home town congregation's gospel choir in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. n the 1960s he was drafted into the US Army and served in the Vietnam War.

Upon his return to America he joined Bill Pinkney's group, The Drifters, as lead vocalist.

The Drifters, fronted by Mr Walker, made their debut appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and went on to perform sell-out concerts across America. The Drifters would often share the stage with other performers, including Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, the Beach Boys and Elvis Presley.

Mr Walker was then asked to front The Coasters, which he did for several worldwide tours. In 1990 he came to England to sing lead vocals with Big Joe Turner's band as they supported BB King at the Royal Albert Hall, in London.

Mr Walker went on to perform lead vocals on two albums with the group, Big Joe Turner's Memphis Blues Caravan and French Connection. Mr Walker, while in England, fell in love with Oxfordshire and settled in Jericho, Oxford. Close friend Ann Edwards said: "Clarence really liked the community in Jericho and said he felt most at home while he lived there."

Mr Walker, struck up a friendship with Oxford-based music promoter Silver Phil and performed at the Monday Night Blues evening, which have been held in the city for more than 20 years.

The Monday night event was at the Brewhouse - now The Goose - in Gloucester Green. Mr Walker also played the evening when it moved to Jongleurs comedy club, above Bar Risa, in Hythe Bridge Street.

He also recorded a solo album with his Walker Street Blues Band, Blues in Black, which received critical acclaim.

In 2004, Mr Walker returned to America following the death of his mother, but while there he suffered a heart attack.

Mr Walker returned to the UK in June this year and, according to close friend Silver Phil, said 'I'm finally home' when he arrived back in Oxford. Before his death last week, he was staying with friends in Stonesfield, near Witney.

On the Friday before he died, Mr Walker gave his last performance at a blues night in Woodstock.

5:53pm Wednesday 15th August 2007

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