Pam Morris, a friend and WVON radio announcer, said Walker died Friday morning of respiratory failure at RML Specialty Hospital in Chicago.
Morris said Walker was "a living legend," which was responsible for launching more than a dozen gospel artists' careers.
When I was young, he formed his own gospel group the Caravans, and was a protege of gospel stars Mahalia Jackson.
U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, said Walker was a voice for the civil rights movement. In his words, his music was "a healing balm to those who fought for justice."
Walker was permanent resident of Chicago and a member of the Baptist Church of West Point. Funeral services are pending.
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