Editing Dave Walker (section)

===The Redcaps (1960–1965)===

Dave Walker started his career in 1960 with a Brumbeat [[Rhythm and blues|R & B]] band called The Redcaps. The band was formed by Dave on rhythm guitar, his twin brother Mick Walker (born Michael Walker, 25 January 1945, in Walsall - died 25 February 2016) on bass guitar, Ronnie on lead vocals, Ronnie's brother Roy Brown on lead guitar, Mac Broadhurst on saxophone, and Jimmy Richards on drums.<ref name="The Redcaps">{{cite web|url=http://www.brumbeat.net/redcaps.htm |title=The Redcaps |website=Brumbeat.net |access-date=2016-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Nicholls |first=Brian |url=http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/recap-redcaps/story-20706053-detail/story.html |title=A recap of the Redcaps |publisher=Black Country Bugle |date=2014-03-04 |access-date=2016-07-23 |archive-date=20 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120023416/http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/recap-redcaps/story-20706053-detail/story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Following an on-stage argument between Dave Walker and Ronnie Brown in 1962, Ronnie departed the band, leaving Dave to take on the role of lead vocalist;<ref>{{cite web |last=Nicholls |first=Brian |url=http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/hours-day-ndash-stage-redcaps-sixties-circuit/story-20763056-detail/story.html |title=Eight hours a day – on stage with The Redcaps on the sixties circuit |publisher=Black Country Bugle |date=2014-03-06 |access-date=2016-07-23 |archive-date=9 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109175135/http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/hours-day-ndash-stage-redcaps-sixties-circuit/story-20763056-detail/story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and following a tour of France in 1964 both Roy Brown and Jimmy Richards departed the band, and were replaced by Mick Blythe and Alan Morley (who later joined [[Chicken Shack]]) respectively.<ref name="The Redcaps"/>

They recorded three singles for [[Decca Records]], who were trying to cash in on the success of [[The Beatles]], as The Redcaps had opened for The Beatles in concert on four occasions. Their first single, in 1963, was a cover of the pulsating [[Isley Brothers]]'s "[[Shout (Isley Brothers song)|Shout]]" backed by "Little Things You Do" an original tune written by Dave Walker and Roy Brown. However, [[Lulu (singer)|Lulu]] had beaten The Redcaps to the British charts with her version of "Shout". Their next single, in 1964, was a cover of [[Chuck Berry]]'s "Talking About You" backed by "Come on Girl". It has been rumoured<!--Not rumoured as he is English.--> that guitarist [[Jimmy Page]], later of [[Led Zeppelin]], played on "Talking About You", in his early pre-[[Yardbirds]] London session days, but Walker has since said Page does not play on this track.  The story behind the rumour being that Page was available, if needed, but Redcaps guitarist Roy Brown handled the lead parts himself.<ref name="Fleetwood Mac">{{cite web|author=Fleetwood Mac |url=http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/fwm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=118&Itemid=137 |title=Page 2 - Everything Fleetwood Mac |website=Fleetwoodmac.net |date=2000-10-12 |access-date=2016-07-23}}</ref> The track was recorded in a different studio from where Page was working, on the day of the recording. Their final single, "Funny Things" an original tune penned by Blythe backed by "Mighty Fine Girl", was also released in 1964; but after all three singles flopped, The Redcaps disbanded in 1965.<ref name="The Redcaps"/>

Mick Walker died on 25 February 2016, aged 71.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nicholls |first=Brian |url=http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/sad-passing-redcap-mick-walker/story-28874127-detail/story.html |title=Sad passing of Walsall musician, former Redcap Mick Walker |publisher=Black Country Bugle |date=2016-03-10 |access-date=2016-07-23 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>