MUMBAI: American pianist and R&B singer Jimmy McCracklin passed away on Thursday in San Pablo, California after a lengthy battle with multiple health problems.

Aged 91, the singer-songwriter-pianist is best remembered for the hit 1957 single ‘The Walk’ that influenced many musicians, and was known to be one of the primary architects of West Coast Blues. He also performed the song on a popular TV show ‘American Bandstand’, and it was later covered by the Beatles during their ‘Let It Be’ sessions. The exposure helped the single reach to number five on the R&B chart and seventh on the pop charts.

McCracklin spent around 70 years in the blues genre notable for its dominant piano work, guitar leads and horn arrangements. His style was influenced by artists like Elvin Bishop and The Blasters and he had also formed a band called ‘Jimmy McCracklin and his Blues Blasters’ in 1946, with guitarist Lafayette Thomas.

He released around 30 albums and earned four gold records, scoring hits with songs like ‘Just Got to Know’, ‘Think’ and ‘Shame, Shame, Shame’. In the 1960s, he founded the record label Art-Tone and later ran San Francisco's Contintental Club. He released his last album ‘Hey Baby’ in 2010.

He is survived by his wife Beulah McCracklin, and two daughters Linette Susan McCracklin and Patricia McCracklin Croner.