Jr. Walker was born in Blytheville, Arkansas in June 14, 1931 as Oscar G . Mixon. At some point in his early years his name was changed to Autry DeWalt II . . . aka . . . Junior Walker!

Junior grew up in South Bend, Indiana, where he took up saxophone in high school and started his first band "The Jumpin Jacks" combo which consisted of Junior (Sax), Joe Neil [and later Fred Patton] (piano), and Paul Smith (drums). Later Junior joined another group, and they played as a trio in local jazz and R&B clubs such as "Busters" in Niles, Michigan. The group was called Billy "Stix" Nicks and the Rhythm Rockers, run by Billy Nicks. The group at that time consisted of Fred Patton (Piano/Organ), Billy Nicks (drums), and Junior. Eventually Willie Woods joined the group as a background vocalist to makeup the quartet. Woods would soon after, pickup the guitar, and start performing with the group. When Billy Nicks was inducted into the army, Junior continued the group as the Jumpin Jacks. When Junior moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, he took Woods & Patton and formed "The Junior Walker All Stars," consisting of Fred Patton , then later Victor Thomas (on organ), Woods (on Guitar & background vocals), and Tony Washington (on drums). Washington was replaced by Jack Douglas (Drums) but Douglas couldn't cut the session for the Motown hit "Shotgun" (Jack Douglas only performed live performances). The group eventually picked up the drummer that would make all the photo sessions James Graves! While playing the local club circuit the following year the group was spotted by Johnny Bristol. Bristol recommended them to Harvey Fuqua, who signed them to his own Harvey label. Fuqua's Tri-Phi and Harvey labels were taken over by Motown Records in 1963, and Junior Walker and the All-Stars began recording for the subsidiary label Soul in 1964. In early 1965, Junior Walker and The All-Stars recorded "Shotgun (#4 pop, #1 R&B, 1965), and had a string of party hits that included "Do the Boomerang" (#10 R&B), and "Shake and Fingerpop" (#7 R&B) in 1965; "How Sweet it is (to Be Loved By You)" (#18 pop, #3 R&B). After the departure of the drummer James Graves, Junior called on his long time buddy of the 50's Billy "Stix" Nicks to join the quartet. Nicks helped continue his reign of party music, with the ever rockin title cut off the album "I'm a Road Runner" (#20 pop, #4 R&B) in 1966. Junior continued with hits such as "Pucker Up Buttercup" (#3 pop, #11 R&B) and "Come See About Me' (#24 pop, #8 R&B) in 1967, and "Hip City, Part Two" (#7 R&B 1965) in 1968. With Walker singing more, The All Stars had success with "What Does It Take (to Win Your Love)" (#4 pop, #1 R&B) and "These Eyes" (#16 pop, #3 R&B) in 1969' Gotta Hold On to This Feeling" (#21 pop, #2 R&B) and "Do You See My Love (For You Growing)" (#32 pop, #3 R&B) in 1970 and "Walk in the Night" (#46 pop, #10 R&B) in 1972.

Walker continued recording in the '70s, including a stint with ex-Motown producer writer Norman Whitfield's label in 1979, He provided the saxophone solo for Foreigner's 1981 hit "Urgent" and re-signed with Motown in 1983. Junior Walker and The All-Stars toured into the '90s. Junior Walker died in Battle Creek, Michigan of cancer on November 23, 1995. After the death of Junior, Billy "Stix" Nicks along with Acklee King (who is the son of the nightclub owner Acklee King Sr., who owned "Busters Riverview Inn" in Niles, Michigan, were Junior and Nicks played as youths), continued the Junior Walker's All Star Bands reign of party music through the new millennium. The group now consists of: Billy "Stix" Nicks (drums), Acklee King (manager & congo), Willie Rankin (sax), Roschelle Laughhunn & Kathy Hannemann a.k.a. . . . Kat Webb (background vocals), Jon Gee (Lead and background vocals), Jim Hill (organ/piano), Cedrick Davis (Guitar), and Billy Wilson (Bass Guitar & background vocals). As long as Juniors music exists, the reign of Motownism will exist in the heart, and minds of babyboomers, and generations alike.