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Detroit Junior

1931 – 2005

American blues musician

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About Detroit Junior

Lived 1931 – 2005 (aged 73). Detroit Junior was an American singer, pianist and songwriter.

Emery Williams Jr. (October 26, 1931 – August 9, 2005), known as Detroit Junior, was an American blues pianist, vocalist and songwriter. He is known for songs such as "So Unhappy", "Call My Job", "If I Hadn't Been High", "Ella" and "Money Tree". His songs have been covered by Koko Taylor, Albert King and other blues artists.

Career Born in Haynes, Arkansas, Williams recorded his first single, "Money Tree", with the Bea & Baby label in 1960. His first full album, Chicago Urban Blues, was released in the early 1970s on the Blues on Blues label. He also has recordings on Alligator, Blue Suit, The Sirens Records, and Delmark.

Williams began his career in Detroit, Michigan, backing touring musicians such as Eddie Boyd, John Lee Hooker, and Amos Milburn. Boyd brought him to Chicago in 1956, where he spent the next twelve years.

Discography Albums Year Title Record label 1990 Chicago Urban Blues Mango 1995 Turn Up the Heat Blue Suit 1997 Take Out the Time Blue Suit 2003 8 Hands on 88 Keys - Chicago Blues Piano Masters The Sirens Records 2004 Live at the Toledo Museum of Art Blue Suit 2004 Blues on the Internet Delmark

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Important facts

People in Detroit Junior's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Detroit Junior's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Detroit Junior?

American blues musician

When was Detroit Junior born?

Detroit Junior was born on 26 October 1931 in Haynes.

When did Detroit Junior die?

Detroit Junior died on 9 August 2005 in Chicago.

What was Detroit Junior's occupation?

Detroit Junior was a singer, pianist and songwriter.

What nationality was Detroit Junior?

Detroit Junior was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Detroit Junior

· Wikidata: Q5265954

· DBpedia: Detroit Junior

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Detroit Junior. https://biography.guide/detroit-junior/

MLA: "Detroit Junior." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/detroit-junior/.

Chicago: "Detroit Junior." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/detroit-junior/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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