Jazz Musician. At a time when traveling music was in high flower, his road band the Royal Creolians had as many as 16 members. He was the first black musician to play on radio out of Chicago. His introduction to radio was greatly assisted by the Alphonse Capone family. They were friends and this friendship assured his entry into radio. A Chicago resident he was on the road most of the year. On April 23, 1940 he was booked at the Rhythm Club, Natchez, Mississippi for a one night engagement. This would be the bands and his last night. The resulting disastrous fire took the lives of more than 200 people. He tried to stop the panic by requesting his own band to play "Marie". They stayed and played but the crowd was in panic. The Rhythm Club burst into flame and he and most of the band died in the fire.
Jazz Musician. At a time when traveling music was in high flower, his road band the Royal Creolians had as many as 16 members. He was the first black musician to play on radio out of Chicago. His introduction to radio was greatly assisted by the Alphonse Capone family. They were friends and this friendship assured his entry into radio. A Chicago resident he was on the road most of the year. On April 23, 1940 he was booked at the Rhythm Club, Natchez, Mississippi for a one night engagement. This would be the bands and his last night. The resulting disastrous fire took the lives of more than 200 people. He tried to stop the panic by requesting his own band to play "Marie". They stayed and played but the crowd was in panic. The Rhythm Club burst into flame and he and most of the band died in the fire.
Bio by: billcarr
Gravesite Details
Walter Barnes funeral was held at the Chicago's Pilgrim Baptist Church
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