Junior Walker

Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr. (June 14, 1931 – November 23, 1995), known professionally as Junior Walker, was an American multi-instrumentalist (primarily saxophonist) and vocalist who recorded for Motown during the 1960s. He also performed as a session and live-performing saxophonist with the band Foreigner during the 1980s. written and composed by Walker and produced by Berry Gordy, which featured the Funk Brothers' James Jamerson on bass and Benny Benjamin on drums. "Shotgun" reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart in 1965, and was followed by many other hits, such as "(I'm a) Road Runner", "Shake and Fingerpop" and remakes of two Motown songs "Come See About Me" and "How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)", that had previously been hits for the Supremes and Marvin Gaye respectively. Walker's version was also featured in the 1985 Madonna film Desperately Seeking Susan. In 1983, Walker was re-signed with Motown.

"Shotgun" - Best Rhythm and Blues Recording (1965) "What Does It Take" - Best R&B Instrumental Performance (1969) "Wishing on a Star" - Best R&B Instrumental Performance (1979)

He was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1995. Walker's "Shotgun" was inducted into 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.

Discography Studio albums YearAlbumChart positionsUS US R&B 1962 "Twist Lackawanna"b/w "Willie's Blues" (Non-album track) — — — Road Runner "Cleo's Mood"b/w "Brainwasher" (from Soul Session) — — — Shotgun1963 "Good Rockin'"b/w "Brainwasher Pt. 2" (Non-album track) — — — Soul Session1964 "Satan's Blues"b/w "Monkey Jump" (from Shotgun)— — — 1965 "Shotgun"b/w "Hot Cha" 4 1 — Shotgun "Do the Boomerang"b/w "Tune Up" 36 10 — "Shake and Fingerpop" / 29 7 — "Cleo's Back" 43 7 —1966 "(I'm a) Road Runner"b/w "Shoot Your Shot" 20 4 12 "Cleo's Mood"b/w "Baby You Know You Ain't Right" (from Road Runner) 50 14 — "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)"b/w "Nothing But Soul" 18 3 22 Road Runner "Money (That's What I Want), Pt.1"b/w "Money (That's What I Want), Pt. 2" 52 35 —1967 "Pucker Up Buttercup"b/w "Anyway You Wanta" 31 11 — "Shoot Your Shot"b/w "Ain't That the Truth" 44 33 — Shotgun "Come See About Me"b/w "Sweet Soul" 24 8 — Home Cookin'''

"Gotta Hold On to This Feeling"b/w "Clinging to the Thought That She's Coming Back"

"Take Me Girl, I'm Ready"b/w "Right On Brothers and Sisters"

"Peace and Understanding (Is Hard to Find)"b/w "Soul Clappin'" "Dancin' Like They Do on Soul Train"b/w "I Ain't That Easy to Lose"

Blow the House Down'' "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.