When he was a child, Walter wanted to be like his Dad, Walter Harrold, Sr., who would take him to the Trocadaro, a club where he was working, and allow him to sit next to him during the rehearsals. His father
also took him to rehearsals with Dan Desdunes concert band. When he got older, he was allowed to sit next to his Dad, and Uncle Charles Harrold, and play second snare drum. In his teenage years, he was in the Elks Drum and Bugle Corps., and played in the Central High School Dance Band for three years.
When he returned home from his tour of duty in the United States Air Force in the late 50s, he played with Al Abneys combo along with Eddie Clean Head Vinson, Wayne Bennett, and Frank Brown, at Paul Allens Show Case.
In the 60s, he worked with Chick Fisher at the old Apex Bar,. He also played with Terry Bell, at the OffBeat, and Luther Woodruff. He later played with Cliff Dudleys Big Band for almost two years, before moving to Chicago where he played with several local musicians. While in Chicago, he married Jerry Mitchum, a well- known singer in the Chicago area, who sang with a popular jazz group, lead by Jack Mc Duff, who asked Walter to join them.
In the early 70s, he moved to California, where he Played with Wynonie Harris. After moving back to Omaha, he played with Big Daddy Sailes, until the Mid 80s, when he started playing with Richetta Wilson, Roy Givens, Jerry Davis.
He was forced into retirement from playing music in the mid 90s due to an injury he sustained while in the Air Force.
