JR. WALKER, MOTOWN ASTIST, DIES AT 64 (NOT 53)
Eric LeBlanc-CISTI
of birth. Most - actually all obits & reference books I've read - indicate
that he was born in 1942 (one says 1938). It seems that the bio sheet from
MOTOWN, "THE SOUND OF YOUNG AMERICA", was off by 11 years! I've also used the
JR. abbreviation as his recordings never used the term Junior.
I'd like to thank Tony Burke, as the obit below is based on his early draft
for publication in Blues & Rhythm. If you haven't subscribed to Blues &
Rhythm, may I recommend you do. I've include the subscription details at the
end of the obit.
JR. WALKER (1931-1995)
"I am just into making a joyful noise. We make a wind blow them blues clean
to Monday. It's Saturday night now, ain't it? And if you'll excuse me, I got
a job to do."
~ Jr. Walker talking to Gerri Hirshey
As was widely reported in the national and music press former Motown saxman
Jr. Walker died from cancer on Thursday, November 23rd, 1995, Battle Creek,
Michigan. Jr. Walker's playing influenced a younger generation of sax
blowers notably David Sanborn, Clarence Clemons, Jim Horn, Lenny Pickett (of
Tower of Power) and in particular, the gospel saxophonist Vernard Johnson.
He was born Autry DeWalt II in Blytheville, Arkansas on Sunday June 14th, 1931
(not 1942), he took his stage name from his step-father. With a sax style
modelled on the giants of 40s and 50s R&B giants like Gene Ammons, Clifford
Scott, Lee Allen, King Curtis, Sam "The Man" Taylor, Illinois Jacquet & Earl
Bostic (although he claimed (to me) Boots Randolph was his favourite artist),
Jr. formed a band called The Jumping Jacks (sometimes also called The Sticks
Nix Band, after drummer Billy "Sticks" Nix) with guitarist Willie Woods in
South Bend, Indiana. During this time, he also moved to St. Louis and played
with Memphis Slim, Chuck Berry & joined Albert King's band. By 1961 he and
Woods along with Vic Thomas on organ and (the late) James Graves on drums
turned professional, recording a one-off for Joseph Von Battle's Von label as
The All-Stars, and finally changing their name to Jr. Walker and The All-Stars.
Drawn to the attention of Harvey Fuqua, then running his own Harvey and Tri-Phi
labels in Detroit, by Johnny Bristol, Walker's first 3 Harvey recordings made
little impression on the R&B charts, except "Cleo's Mood", a wonderful
variation on Otis Rush's Cobra recording "All Your Love". During this time
they also recorded behind other Harvey artists like Harvey & Ann, The Five
Quails, and Loe & Joe. However, once he was transferred to the Motown Soul
subsidiary by Berry Gordy, a string of hits followed; "Shotgun", a vocal duet
with Willie Woods, recorded an after-thought when their (ex-Jumping Jacks)
singer Fred Paton was a no-show, formed part of the soundtrack for the mid 60s
and became the prototype for his many other 45s and album tracks, "Shake And
Fingerpop", "Cleo's Back" (1965) ; the dance anthem "(I'm A) Road Runner" and
"How Sweet It Is" (1966), "Come See About Me" (1967), and "Hip City" (1968)
all featured his distinctive sax playing coupled with a unique good time feel
that the band captured on disc. As an aside, James Brown fans should note
that "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" is a variation on "Tally Ho", tune from Jr.
Walker's first album. Most of his recordings featuring The All-Stars in fact
featured many of Motown's house musicians (The Funk Brothers), including Earl
Van Dyke, Benny Benjamin, James Jamerson and Robert White - who have sadly all
passed away & nearly forgotten today. Seventies hits included "Way Back Home",
"Walk In The Night" and "Take Me Girl, I'm Ready", which developed a mellower
feel first demonstrated on "What Does It Take" (1969) with producer/friend
Johnny Bristol on harmony vocals & guitarist Robert White. Unlike most Motown
artists Walker kept a downhome style. During the late 70s (he left Motown in
1978, returning briefly in 1983), he recorded for Norman Whitfield's label and
in the 1981, Walker was featured on the pop hit "Urgent" by Foreigner. Jr.
also acted and recorded as "The Swanky Modes" with Sam (of Sam & Dave) Moore
for the 1988 Island Records movie soundtrack to the film "Tapeheads". He was
still playing shows up until recently, and featuring in a number of Motown
revival shows with his son (Autry DeWalt III) on vocals & drums. On March 2,
1995, the Washington-D.C.-based Rhythm & Blues Foundation included him in
their 6th Annual Awards presentation. According to Willie Woods, Walker was
beginning to show signs of his illiness about 2 years ago, and after a recent
tour with The Four Tops & The Temptations, he returned very weak, with next to
no strength in his legs. He was also preparing to sign a new record contact.
"Nothing But Soul: The Singles 1962-1983," a 40-song collection released in
1994, is the single best source for Jr. Walker's music - Ben Edwards' notes
are excellent & were used this obit.
JR. WALKER is survived by 9 sons (Tevin Mixon, Autry, Charles, Kevin, Timothy,
Derek, Dennis, Lloyd and Kenneth Dewalt); 4 daughters (Beverly, Pamela, Angela
and Jasmineka Dewalt); 22 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. He is also
survived by his mother, Marie Walker. Services were held on November 28 at the
Second Missionary Baptist Church, with burial following in Oak Hill Cemetery,
Battle Creek, MI.
With thanks to Tony Burke <to...@bluestb.demon.co.uk>, Editor/Blues & Rhythm :
The Gospel Truth. For subscription information, email <by...@roker.demon.co.uk>
or visit Gary Joneson's KING BISCUIT TIME Web site, under the Blues Publication
section <http://www.island.net/~blues/magazine.html> for more details.
Selected CD Discography :
=======================
MOTOWN 8512 : JUNIOR WALKER & THE ALL-STARS - MOTOWN LEGENDS
MOTOWN 530402 : JUNIOR WALKER & THE ALL-STARS - HOME COCKIN'
MOTOWN 635141 : JUNIOR WALKER & THE ALL-STARS - SHOTGUN
MOTOWN 635208 : JUNIOR WALKER & THE ALL-STARS - GREATEST HITS
MOTOWN 635297 : JUNIOR WALKER & THE ALL-STARS - ALL THE GREAT HITS
MOTOWN 636270 : JUNIOR WALKER & THE ALL-STARS - NOTHING BUT SOUL : SINGLES (2CD)
Jef Jaisun
: After a little bit of calling around, I was able to confirm JR. WALKER's year
: of birth. Most - actually all obits & reference books I've read - indicate
: that he was born in 1942 (one says 1938). It seems that the bio sheet from
: MOTOWN, "THE SOUND OF YOUNG AMERICA", was off by 11 years! I've also used the
: JR. abbreviation as his recordings never used the term Junior.
Thanks, Eric. I was having a hard time believing Jr. was only four years
older than me.
I would add to the list of players influenced by him the name of Phil
Kenzie, who played with Al Stewart's band in the 70's. (Those are his
solos on Year of the Cat and Song on the Radio.) Kenzie really tore it up
at a show here in '78. Backstage after the show I asked him if he'd been
woodshedding in Jr. Walker's attic.
Jef Jaisun
--
elj...@netcom.com