Troy Walker (born Richard Walker; 1938) is an American singer known for his live stage performances which included comedy, impersonations, and banter. "He struts onto a nightclub floor," reported the L.A. Weekly in 1999, "A painstakingly coifed roaring fireball of conflict and artistry in 6-inch heels and an ostrich boa." The paper also called him "the world's first and only professional transgender country singer."[1] Billboard described him as a "wild rocker" with "swinging vocals" in the same review.[2]
Walker was born Richard Walker in Chicago, Illinois[1] in 1938. His family life was unstable and he was sent to a boys' school in Arizona at a young age. He later attended the University of Arizona and was discovered by bandleader Skitch Henderson while serving in the United States Air Force.[1]
Walker moved to Los Angeles in 1958[3] and sang pop, country, and rock ‘n roll songs at nightclubs, including a stint with partner Timi Yuro. The openly gay Walker felt he could be freer about his personal life in Hollywood.[3] He released his first album Troy Walker Live in 1962 on Life Records. Walker believes his inclusion of the song "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe" caused DJs to send the record back to the label. "They wouldn't play music by a man singing to a man" he told KXLU interviewer Chris Wilson in 2010.[4]
Walker was a regular performer at nightclubs on the Sunset Strip, including the Interlude[3] and Gene Norman's Crescendo[5] with his band, led by a pre-Captain & Tennille Daryl Dragon and featuring percussionist Spider Webb.[1] He was also the opening act for performers including Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and Tina Turner.[1]
Elvis Presley, Louella Parsons, Ethel Merman and Gregory Peck attended Walker's shows. Ronald Reagan hired him to perform at a private party on his ranch.[5] Walker enjoyed a 17-year stint at the famed country and western nightclub The Palomino Club in North Hollywood where he performed with Jerry Lee Lewis.[3]
The Valley News reported in 1970 that Walker "looked as out of place as Lord Fauntleroy at a boxing arena" when he performed at a country music club.[6] While in the Air Force, Walker traveled the world performing for the troops.[4]
Starting in the 1970s his song "Marijuana Munchies" became a regular on the Dr. Demento radio show.[4] Walker is the subject of the documentary film, directed by Christina Linhardt, TROY, The Original Lady Boy, which premiered in 2019 as part of the Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival.[7]
Walker released two live albums and several singles throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
