Junior Parker
On 27/05/1932: Junior Parker was born near Bobo, Coahoma County, Mississippi. His full birth name was Herman Parker, Jr. There is some confusion as to where he was born. It is either Clarksdale, Mississippi, or West Memphis, Arkansas. He started singing in gospel choirs as a child, moving then onto the blues circuit in his teens. His biggest influence was Sonny Boy Williamson who he was able to work with and he also got to work with Howlin' Wolf.In roughly 1950 he joined Bobby 'Blue' Bland and B.B. King to form the Beale Streeters.
In 1951 he joined guitarist Pat Hare and formed his own band.
In 1952 Ike Turner discovered him and he joined Modern Records, where he released "You're My Angel".
He was soon snapped up by Sam Phillips and signed to Sun Records in 1953. With them he released "Feelin' Good", "Love My Baby," and "Mystery Train". Later on in 1953 he went on tour with Bobby Bland and Johnny Ace. He also joined Duke Records. He continued to have hits with a combination of covers and his material. Hits such as "Next Time You See Me", "Driving Wheel", "Annie Get Your Yo-Yo", "Sweet Home Chicago", "The Things That I Used to Do" and Don Robey's "Mother-in-Law Blues" and "Stand by Me".
In 1966 he left Duke Records, but did not have as much success with the various labels he became a part of.
He died on November 18, 1971, in Blue Island, Illinois at just 39. He was undergoing surgery for a brain tumor.