| Van "Piano Man" Walls | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Harry Eugene Vann |
| Born | 24 August 1918 |
| Origin | Middlesboro, Kentucky |
| Died | 24 February 1999 (aged 80) |
| Genres | Blues, R&B |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1930s-1990s |
| Labels | Atlantic Records Apollo Records Derby Records Columbia Records MGM Records. |
| Associated acts | Big Joe Turner Ruth Brown The Clovers LaVern Baker The Drifters Joe Morris |
Van "Piano Man" Walls (born Harry Eugene Vann on 24 August 1918 – died 24 February 1999) was an American rhythm and blues piano player, songwriter, studio musician, and professional recording artist.
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Walls was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky, and grew up in Charleston, West Virginia. His mother was a piano teacher. His stepfather was named Walls, so he took the name Van Walls (often written as Vann Walls). He left home as a teenager and toured the Southern United States with carnivals, circuses, and variety caravans. He returned to Charleston in his mid-20s and played as a solo pianist in local clubs and on WCHS (AM) radio.
In the early-1940s, he began playing in Cal Greer's band and later formed his own band based in Columbus, Ohio.
In the late-1940s, saxophonist Frank "Floorshow" Culley convinced Walls to join the new Atlantic Records label in New York City as Atlantic's house band pianist. Notable songs either written by or featuring his musicianship include the following:
In 1950, Walls recorded and released the single "Tee Nah Nah"/"Ain't Gonna Scold You" on Atlantic (catalog #904) which featured vocals by Spider Sam (the pseudonym used by Brownie McGhee). Walls also recorded and released the 1950 single "Easter Parade"/"Air Mail Boogie" on Derby Records (catalog #733) with vocals by Freddie Mitchell as well as the 1950 single "Chocolate Candy Blues" on Columbia Records (catalog #30220). Vann Walls was credited on all of Atlantic's early recordings by Joe Turner.
In 1954, Walls joined the Nite Riders where he remained for almost ten years. Based mainly in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the group primarily recorded on the Apollo Records label, though in 1957, they recorded a one-off single for MGM Records. During the early-1960s, they recorded for various labels including Cherry, Chime, Smash, and Courtesy. After the group's breakup, Van Walls remained in Montreal and formed his own group called Captain Van & the Pirates.
Walls played a number of blues and jazz festivals in the United States and Canada throughout the 1980s and 1990s.[1] In 1997, he was recognized for his contributions to early R&B music by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and was awarded the foundation's Pioneer Award. Walls continued to record until his death in January 1999.
Canadian musician Michael Jerome Brown wrote and dedicated the track, "Cancer Ward Blues", to Walls which was released on Brown's 2001 album entitled Drive On.