Junior Walker was one of the most influential saxophonists and vocalists in the history of R&B and soul music. He was the leader of the Motown group Junior Walker and the All Stars, who scored a string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, such as “Shotgun”, “(I’m a) Road Runner”, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” and “What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)”. His raspy voice and energetic sax playing were the trademarks of his distinctive sound, which inspired many other musicians and fans. However, his life and career were cut short by cancer, which claimed his life on November 23, 1995. Here is a brief overview of his life, achievements and cause of death.
Early Life and Career
Junior Walker was born Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr. on June 14, 1931, in Blytheville, Arkansas, although some sources claim that he was born in 1942. He grew up in South Bend, Indiana, where he started playing the saxophone in high school. He formed his first band, the Jumping Jacks, in the mid-1950s, and later joined a trio led by drummer Billy Nicks. He moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, in the late 1950s, and formed a new band called the All Stars, which included guitarist Willie Woods, keyboardist Victor Thomas and drummer James Graves.
The All Stars were discovered by singer Johnny Bristol, who recommended them to producer Harvey Fuqua, who had his own record labels. They signed with Fuqua’s Harvey label in 1961, and changed their name to Jr. Walker All Stars. In 1964, Fuqua’s labels were taken over by Motown’s Berry Gordy, and Jr. Walker & the All Stars became part of the Motown family, recording for their Soul imprint.
Success with Motown
Jr. Walker & the All Stars had their first big hit with “Shotgun” in 1965, which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart. The song was written and composed by Walker himself, who also sang the lead vocals by accident, as the original singer did not show up for the recording session. The song featured the Funk Brothers’ James Jamerson on bass and Benny Benjamin on drums, and showcased Walker’s raw and powerful saxophone style.
The group followed up with more hits, such as “Do the Boomerang”, “Shake and Fingerpop”, “Cleo’s Mood” and “Pucker Up Buttercup”. They also recorded instrumental versions of Motown classics, such as “Come See About Me”, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” and “Money (That’s What I Want)”. They also collaborated with other Motown artists, such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson.
One of their most successful songs was “(I’m a) Road Runner”, which reached No. 4 on the R&B chart and No. 20 on the pop chart in 1966. The song was written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, one of Motown’s most prolific songwriting teams. The song featured a catchy chorus, a driving rhythm and a memorable sax solo by Walker.
Another hit was “What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)”, which reached No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 4 on the pop chart in 1969. The song was written by Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua and Vernon Bullock, and featured a softer and smoother sound than their previous songs. The song showcased Walker’s soulful vocals and expressive sax playing.
Later Years and Death
Jr. Walker & the All Stars continued to record for Motown until 1979, when they left the label and signed with Whitfield Records, owned by former Motown producer Norman Whitfield. They released two albums for Whitfield Records, Hot Shot (1976) and Sax Appeal (1977), but did not achieve much commercial success.
In the 1980s, Walker performed as a session musician for other artists, such as Aretha Franklin, Jermaine Jackson and Foreigner. He also recorded some solo albums for various labels, such as Blow the House Down (1983), Sax Soul (1988) and Moody Jr (1994).
In 1993, he was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent surgery and chemotherapy, but his condition worsened over time. He died on November 23, 1995, at his home in Battle Creek, Michigan. He was survived by his wife Thelma Mixon-Walker and four children.
Legacy
Junior Walker was one of the most influential and popular saxophonists and vocalists in R&B and soul music. He was known for his distinctive and energetic style, which combined elements of jazz, blues and rock. He was admired by many musicians and fans, who praised his talent, charisma and passion. He was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award in 1995, and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of Jr. Walker & the All Stars.
His songs have been covered by many artists, such as the Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Joss Stone and Brian May. His songs have also been featured in many movies, TV shows, commercials and video games, such as The Blues Brothers, Good Morning Vietnam, The Wonder Years, The Simpsons, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Guitar Hero World Tour.
Junior Walker’s cause of death was cancer, but his music lives on as a testament to his legacy. He was a Motown legend who left a lasting mark on the history of R&B and soul music.
