Memorable Manitobans: Wayne Walker (1942-2008)

Musician.

Born on 7 January 1942, son of Nellie Zonco Yosyk (1923-2016), his love of music started at an early age. At the age of 15, he got a job on a Canadian Pacific Railway train so he could travel to Vancouver to attend a performance by Elvis Presley. He and his band began playing at Winnipeg hotels and clubs in 1963. Becoming known as “Mr. Rock N’ Roll,” he played with such noted musicians as Buddy Knox, Ronnie Hawkins, and Johnny Rivers. He died at Winnipeg on 19 October 2008.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Genser House (177 Machray Avenue, Winnipeg)

Sources:

“Divorces declared absolute,” Winnipeg Free Press, 6 January 1973, page 2.

“Elvis fans cling together,” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 December 1980, page 17.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 23 October 2008.

Obituary [Nellie Yosyk], Winnipeg Free Press, 20 February 2016.

We thank Kenneth Ingram and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 15 March 2026

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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