Post by HitsvilleSoul on Oct 21, 2006 18:14:05 GMT -5
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Profile: Junior Walker And The Allstars
Members: Willie Woods, Vic Thomas, James Graves
Genres: Motown, Soul, R&B, Funk
Instruments: Saxophone, Guitar, Drums, Keyboard
Contributions to music:
*Motown pioneers of Funk
*A house band in their own right
Early years: Born in 1942. Walker was inspired to take up the saxophone by the jump blues and R&B bands he heard in the early 50s. In his mid-teens, he formed his first instrumental group, the Jumping Jacks, adopting the stage name Junior Walker after a childhood nickname. By 1961 he had achieved a prominent local reputation, which reached the ear of label owner and former Moonglow, Harvey Fuqua. He signed Walker to his Harvey label, allowing him free rein to record a series of raw saxophone-led instrumentals.
Success: In 1964 Walker followed Fuqua to Motown, where he perfected a blend of raunchy R&B and Detroit soul typified by his 1965 hit, "Shotgun". With its repeated saxophone riffs and call-and-response vocals, it established Walker as the label's prime exponent of traditional R&B, a reputation that was confirmed by later hits like "Shake And Fingerpop" and "Road Runner". The latter was produced by Holland/Dozier/Holland, who also encouraged Walker to record instrumental versions of hits they had written for other Motown artists. Walker's style became progressively more lyrical in the late 60s, a development that reached its peak on the 1969 US Top 5 hit, "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)?" This also marked the pinnacle of his commercial success, as subsequent attempts to repeat the winning formula were met with growing public indifference, and from 1972 onwards the All Stars recorded only sporadically.
Later years: Hot Shot in 1976, produced by Brian Holland, marked a move towards the burgeoning disco market, which was confirmed on two further albums that year. Walker continued to tour through the 80's and early 90's."Jr. Walker and his All Stars" were in demand worldwide, keeping up a non-stop worldwide schedule of concert dates and "one nighters". The band maintained a reputation as a phenomenal live act until his untimely death from cancer in Battle Creek, Michigan, November 23, 1995.
***Songs, Albums and Charts***
R&B:
Do The Boomerang #10
Shake and Fingerpop #7
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) #3
I'm A Roadrunner #4
Pucker Up Butter Cup #11
Come see About Me #8
Hip City, Part Two #7
What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) #1
Gotta Hold On To This Feeling #2
Do You See My Love (For You Growing) #2
Walk In The Night #10
Pop:
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) #18
I'm A Roadrunner#20
Pucker Up Butter Cup #3
Come see About Me #24
What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) #4
These Eye's" also reached #16
Gotta Hold On To This Feeling #21
Do You See My Love (For You Growing) #32
Walk In The Night #46
Albums:
1965 Shotgun
1966 Soul Session
1966 Road Runner
1967 Jr. Walker and the All Stars Live!
1969 Jr. Walker and the All Stars' Greatest Hits
1969 Home Cookin'
1969 Gotta Hold on to This Feeling
1970 Jr. Walker and the All Stars Live
1970 A Gassssssssss
1971 Rainbow Funk
1971 Moody Jr.
1973 Peace and Understanding Is Hard to Find
1976 Whopper Bopper Show Stopper
1976 Sax Appeal
1976 Hot Shot
1978 Smooth
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Song Choice Of the Month
Sweet Soul 
From the LP Home Cookin' Courtesy of Song2Play
