Delroys' & Del Vikings'
Reggie Walker Tribute
Reggie Walker, baritone and bass singer, original member
of the Delroys and later member of the Del Vikings passed away on January
26, 2010, in East Meadow, New York. He was 68. The Delroys will
always be remembered for their 1957 hit record, "Bermuda Shorts."
Reginald Allan Walker was born on August 7, 1941 and grew
up in Queens, NY. Around 1957, Walker teamed with Ronald and Robert
Coleman along with John Blount to for the Delroys. The group signed
with Apollo Records and in 1957 recorded their biggest record, "Bermuda
Shorts."
The Delroys (1957). Reggie Walker,
far left.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
The Delroys first record. Reggie
Walker lead.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
With some personnel changes (John Blount left; Junior
Talbot and Bobby Taylor joined), the Delroys recorded "Wise Old Owl" for the
Sparkell label in 1958. Reggie joined the army in 1959 and was
not on the Delroys' third record, "Love Me Tenderly," on the Carol
label.
Reggie was in the army when this was
recorded and was not on this record.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
In 1970, Reggie Walker, Ronald and Robert Coleman recorded
as the First Three for the Deep label. Sometime after this the
group broke up.
In 1981, John Blount ran into Reggie Walker in The Village
and the two talked about reuniting the Delroys. They were able to
contact Ronald Coleman and start singing again as the Delroys. Their
first appearance back was a brief acappella performance as a trio at
the United in Group Harmony Assocaition in February 1982. They were
received so well, they returned the next month (March 1982) with a band.
They appeared on Don K. Reed's WCBS-FM (NYC) on April 4. From there,
the Delroys began performing at other venues.
1982 Flyer for a Delroys Appearance.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Delroys' Business card.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Autographed Delroys, ca. 1982.
Reggie Walker far left.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
The Delroys disbanded in 1996 but Reggie Walker and Ronald
Coleman joined the Del Vikings in 2001. Over the next eight years they
were a very popular group on the doo wop scene. Reggie will be missed.
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