The song became one of Sammy Davis Jr.'s signature performances, which he recorded for his 1972 album Portrait of Sammy Davis Jr. and sang at President Richard Nixon's invitation at a concert at the White House the following year.

Bojangles” was first recorded by Mr. Walker for the Atco label in 1968. The song achieved its greatest success in a folk-rock version that reached the pop Top 10 in 1971 with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and went on to be covered by a wide range of artists, among them Nina Simone, Neil Diamond and even Bob Dylan.

1ST RECORDING OF: Mr. Bojangles - Jerry Jeff Walker (1967) - YouTube. Here's the original recorded version of the song as performed by its writer. 1968 Pop Chart Peaks: Record World 50, Cash Box 52, Billboard 77 - Easy Listening Peak: 28 Transferred from mono 45 single Atco 6594 - Mr.

For one thing, like so many great country songs, it tells a story. It's a real story of a man Walker met while in jail for public intoxication. The homeless man (no relation to the entertainer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson), used the name to conceal his identity from police.