Junior Walker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Junior Walker
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Junior Walker in 1966
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Autry DeWalt Mixon |
| Born | June 14, 1931 Blytheville, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | November 23, 1995 (aged 64) Battle Creek, Michigan |
| Genres | R&B, pop, rock, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Tenor saxophone, vocals |
| Years active | 1945–1995 |
| Labels | Motown, Whitfield |
| Associated acts | Foreigner |
Junior Walker was the stage name for Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr. (born June 14, 1931 – died November 23, 1995). He was an amazing American musician. Junior Walker played many instruments, but he was best known for his saxophone skills and singing. He became famous while recording music for Motown in the 1960s. Later, in the 1980s, he also played saxophone for the popular band Foreigner.
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Early Life of Junior Walker
Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr. was born on June 14, 1931. His birthplace was Blytheville, Arkansas. However, he grew up in South Bend, Indiana. He started playing the saxophone when he was in high school. His special saxophone style became the main sound for the bands he played in later.
Junior Walker's Music Career
Junior Walker started his music career in the mid-1950s. He formed his own band called the Jumping Jacks. His good friend, Billy Nicks, was a drummer. Billy had his own band called the Rhythm Rockers. Sometimes, Billy would play with the Jumping Jacks. And Junior Walker would play with the Rhythm Rockers.
Billy Nicks got a regular music job at a TV station. It was in South Bend, Indiana. He asked Junior Walker and keyboard player Fred Patton to join him. Billy also asked a local singer, Willie Woods, to join. Willie learned to play the guitar.
When Billy Nicks had to join the United States Army, Junior Walker convinced the band to move. They moved from South Bend to Battle Creek, Michigan. While playing in Benton Harbor, Walker found a new drummer. His name was Tony Washington. He replaced Billy Nicks. Later, Fred Patton left the group. Victor Thomas then joined as the new keyboard player. The band's name changed from The Rhythm Rockers to "The All Stars."
Junior Walker's music style was inspired by jump blues. It also came from early R&B music. He looked up to musicians like Louis Jordan and Earl Bostic.
Joining Motown Records
A music scout named Johnny Bristol discovered the group. In 1961, he suggested them to Harvey Fuqua. Harvey Fuqua owned his own record labels. When the group started recording on the Harvey label, their name changed again. They became Jr. Walker All Stars.
The name changed one more time. This happened when Motown's Berry Gordy took over Fuqua's labels. Jr. Walker & the All Stars officially joined the Motown family. They started recording for Motown's Soul record label in 1964.
The band members changed after joining Motown. Tony Washington, the drummer, left the group. James Graves joined as the new drummer. Their first big hit song was "Shotgun." Junior Walker wrote this song. It was produced by Berry Gordy. Famous musicians like James Jamerson (bass) and Benny Benjamin (drums) played on it.
"Shotgun" was a huge success in 1965. It reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also hit number 1 on the R&B chart. Many other hit songs followed. These included "(I'm a) Road Runner" and "Shake and Fingerpop." They also remade two Motown songs. These were "Come See About Me" (a hit for The Supremes) and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" (a hit for Marvin Gaye).
In 1966, Billy "Stix" Nicks, the old drummer, returned. He replaced James Graves. Junior Walker's hits kept coming. Songs like "I'm a Road Runner" and "Pucker Up Buttercup" were very popular.
In 1969, the group had another top 5 hit. It was called "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)." Motown originally didn't want to release this song as a single. But radio DJs played it a lot, and it became very popular. So, Motown released it. It reached number 4 on the Hot 100. It also hit number 1 on the R&B chart. After this, Junior Walker sang more on their records. He had several more R&B Top Ten hits until 1972.
In 1979, Junior Walker started a solo career. He left the All Stars band. He signed with Norman Whitfield's Whitfield Records label. But he wasn't as successful on his own as he was with the All Stars at Motown.
Later Years and Collaborations
Junior Walker brought the All Stars band back together in the 1980s. On April 11, 1981, he was a special musical guest. He performed on the season finale of Saturday Night Live.
The band Foreigner released their album 4 in 1981. Junior Walker played a saxophone solo on their song "Urgent." He later recorded his own version of "Urgent." This was for the All Stars' 1983 album, Blow the House Down. Junior Walker's version of the song was also in the 1985 Madonna movie Desperately Seeking Susan.
In 1983, Junior Walker signed with Motown again. In the same year, he appeared on the "Motown 25" television special. This show celebrated Motown's 25th anniversary.
In 1988, Junior Walker acted in a comedy movie called Tapeheads. He played one half of a made-up soul music duo called The Swanky Modes. He recorded several songs for the movie's soundtrack. These included "Bet Your Bottom Dollar" and "Ordinary Man."
Death
Junior Walker passed away from cancer. He was 64 years old. He died in Battle Creek, Michigan, on November 23, 1995. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek. His gravestone has both his birth name, Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr., and his stage name, Junior Walker.
Awards and Honors
Junior Walker & the All Stars received three nominations for the Grammy Award:
- "Shotgun" was nominated for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording in 1965.
- "What Does It Take" was nominated for Best R&B Instrumental Performance in 1969.
- "Wishing on a Star" was nominated for Best R&B Instrumental Performance in 1979.
He was honored by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1995. Junior Walker's song "Shotgun" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. Jr. Walker & the All Stars were voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2007.
See also
In Spanish: Junior Walker para niños
- List of Motown Records artists
- List of soul musicians
- List of people from Arkansas
