David Walker (May 5, 1941 – March 12, 1986),[1] better known by his
stage nameBunker Hill, was an American
rhythm & blues, rock and
gospel singer.
Born[1] and raised in
Washington, D.C.,[2] Walker sought a career in professional
boxing, at one point becoming the sparring partner of
Archie Moore.[3] He left boxing to pursue a career singing gospel, and in the late 1950s joined the
Mighty Clouds of Joy.
In 1962 he was offered the chance to record a secular
novelty song by manager
Ray Vernon, the brother of
Link Wray.[3] Adopting the pseudonym Bunker Hill so as not to lose his position with the Mighty Clouds of Joy, he recorded several tracks with a band including Link Wray on guitar. One of the tracks, "Hide and Go Seek", became a
hit single in the United States, reaching #27 on the
Billboard R&B charts and #33 on the
Billboard Hot 100,[4] and was featured in the 1988 movie Hairspray.[1] Despite hiding his identity, he was still found out and asked to leave the Mighty Clouds of Joy as a result.[3]
His later life is obscure, although it is believed that he did perform occasionally as a member of the Mighty Clouds of Joy before leaving the music industry in the late 1960s. According to researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc, he died in
Houston, Texas in 1986, aged 44.[1]