221. Junior Walker & the All Stars

When thinking of the great acts from Motown, the general focus is on the vocal talents they produced. The lone exception would have to be Junior Walker & the All Stars; a self contained Motown band that had the raunchiness and grooves that the other polished Motown artists did not have.

Junior Walker was a master of the saxophone and led a band of skilled musicians who drew from the early rhythms of R&B and created some of the most fun and danceable music of the era. The bulk of their hits were instrumentals, though Walker’s blazing sax was capable of delivering as much emotion as most singers ever could. The Hall probably is not finished inducting Motown artists, and Junior Walker & the All Stars has a decent shot at being the next representative of that label.

FilmStrip Rock.Junior Walker and the All Stars

www.tsimon.com/walkerjr.htm (Tribute Site)

Should Junior Walker & the All Stars be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 78.7%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 8.5%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 8.5%

No opinion. - 2.1%

No way! - 2.1%

The Bullet Points

Eligible Since: Monday, 01 January 1990
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Why they will get in: The Motown connection helps.
Why they won't get in: They never had enough big hits.
Essential Albums: Shotgun (1965)
Roadrunner & Home Cookin’ (1965)
Gotta Hold on to This Feelin’ (1968)
Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee: Shotgun (From Shotgun, 1965)
Do the Boomerang (From Shotgun, 1965)
I’m A Roadrunner (From Roadrunner & Home Cookin’, 1965)
Pucker Up Buttercup (From Roadrunner & Home Cookin’, 1965)
What Does it Take (From Gotta Hold on to This Feelin’ 1968)