Chris joined the MU in 1978.
Chris’s interest in music began when he was 11 and joined the school recorder band. Then, in 1955, he saw The Benny Goodman Story at the local cinema, which sparked his love for the clarinet.
He was enraptured, and saw it every day of the week, and twice on Saturday. Then on Sunday, his dad bought him a second-hand clarinet for £25 on the proviso that he paid part of the money back at £1 a month for a year.
A chance meeting
Chris and I first met in the 1960s, while I was living in Denham, just down the road from Gerrards Cross. At the time, the International Club in Gerrards Cross attracted lots of Swedish au pairs. One evening, my boyfriend took me along, then wandered off. Chris came over and, in his clear voice, asked, "Where do you come from?" When I replied, "Denham," he was off like a rocket!
As it happened, we both took our dogs to training classes on the same day, and we'd often stop for a drink together afterwards. Chris was working at Heal's at the time, but he never turned down the chance to play a gig. He played at my 21st birthday, and I attended his wedding. In time, we both moved away from the area and sadly lost touch.
Alongside his work at this time, Chris continued to develop his musical career, running the highly successful Real Ale and Thunder Band, formed in 1977. He later performed with the Swingtet and, finally, the Pedigree Band.
Finding each other again
Later, I started work at Sandy Balls Holiday Centre, where one of the receptionists mentioned that her husband had just been booked to play on Oriana for its first voyage to New Orleans with a band led by Chris Walker. I told her I used to know Chris, and that conversation was the start of my relationship with the man who would become my husband.
When we got married, our connections in the music world meant we had a chauffeur-driven car, photography, a reception venue and, of course, the band, all free of charge, as well as a honeymoon on board ship. We even had enough left over to pay for a new kitchen!
A life in music
Alongside performing, Chris shared his love of music through radio, presenting a Sunday jazz programme on Radio Solent for many years, as well as programmes for listeners in the USA and on local hospital radio.
When cruise lines gradually stopped using live bands as a cost-saving measure, Chris turned his attention to speaking and sharing his knowledge with audiences. He gave talks about the singers and musicians of his era, including Frank Sinatra and Benny Goodman, accompanied by live music clips, and lectured at clubs and on cruise ships.
He died in hospital on 25 June.
Chris was my husband, my friend and my confidant, and I shall miss him always. Rest in peace my darling.
Chris joined the MU in December 1978. This tribute has been provided by his wife Janet.