Vision Walker
VISION WALKER BIOGRAPHY
Raised in Trench Town, Kingston, Jamica, Vision grew up amidst what would later become internationally known as the birthplace of reggae music. At age 13 his cousin, Rita Marley, encouraged him to start signing. As a result he made his first professional appearance with the Soulettes, which consisted of Rita Marley, Marlene “Precious” Gifford and himself. In their first year together they received a contract from the Coxson recording label.
Vision, recognized as a highly skilled guitar player and excellent harmony singer, replaced Bob Marley in the Wailers in February 1966. Vision can be heard on such Wailers hits as: “Who feels It Knows It,” “Let him Go (Rude Boy Get Bail),” “What Am I To Do”, “Sunday Morning,” “Jerk in Time”, “Dancing Shoes,” “Dream Land,” “Rolling Stone” and “Can’t You See”, just to name a few. Years later he would collaborate with his friend and cousin Bob Marley on a number of Wailers hits such as “Hypocrites,” “Nice Time,” “Bend Down Low,” and “Thank you Lord.” He also contributed to a number of other well-known Wailers super jammers (also written by Marley) such as “Sun Is Shinning,” “Jamming”, “Concrete Jungle,” and “Misty Morning.” The aforementioned songs were inspired from chord progressions rearranged by Vision from the Beatle’s classic “Eleanor Rigby.”
A self-taught musician, Vision learned his skills studying other musicians during sessions, in particular Peter Tosh, and listening to records by Wes Montgomery. Although many African American singers influenced his signing, the Impressions and Clyde McPhatter were the ones that affected him the most.
In 1980 Vision landed on Broadway, playing rhythm guitar in the company band of the musical, Reggae, which started Ras Karbi, Philip Michael Thomas, Calvin Lockhart and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Produced by Michael Butler (Producer of the ‘60’s hit musical Hair).
Throughout the ‘80’s and ‘90’s Vision worked steadily doing either studio sessions work and working with artist like the late Michael Kamen, one of the recording and film industry’s best musical composers/arrangers; or session and touring with Peter Tosh (from 1981 thru 1983). From 1989 thru 1993 Vision worked once again with family - Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers. Vision is directly responsible for writing and arranging songs for Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers such as “Unoo No Listen yet” on the Play The Game Right album, as well as “Cosmic” on the groups album of the same name.
While the story of Vision Walker is one of the best kept secrets in the Reggae industry –it is not by choice – yet he is the last of the originals to embark on his own musical path. Vision Walkers opulent musical talents are no secret to fans of reggae music. Roger Stefan said the world awaits the first solo release of the last of the Original Wailers.
What does Vision say, “I see myself as an instrument of the Father. I came here to do his work. I’ve tried other things and it all comes right back to music. I feel I have a message to carry to the people, whether it is to unify – which is the main thing – the nation, not just black people, but people, and the Earth. It boils down to we are all one. And although they say we are the original people, our people have suffered too hard – I see myself coming from that point. I never used to acknowledge that, but I realized that from visions I have had and the talent that I have; I know I have to do something with it (music) because until I do, I won’t really achieve what I really came here to do.”
A Rastafarian since he first started singing professionally he says of the musical world he’s lived in most of his life: “I just love music. Basically that. Plus my culture, Jamaican and Rasta and what we stand for truth, loyalty, oneness, that’s what I want to see rise again – that unity amongst people.”
“HE WHO IS LAST SHALL BE FIRST AND THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST” - MATTHEW 19:28-30