Robert Walker (musician)
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bilbo" Walker Jr. (born February 19, 1937) is a blues musician. who is known in the blues music world due to his "rock 'n' roll showmanship" and "flamboyant Chuck Berry
imitations."
. Walker Sr. was often referred to by his nickname, Bilbo
, which was then passed onto to Walker Jr., who was also sometimes called Little Junior Bilbo. Walker began to explore music after his sister's boyfriend introduced him to Ike Turner
. After spending 17 years in Chicago, Illinois with his friend David Porter
, Walker moved to the area around Bakersfield, California
and started a farm
growing such commodities as watermelon
and cotton
. During this time, he continued to perform at local bars in the California area, as well as in Chicago and Clarksdale when on visits. He currently still resides in California.
In 1997, Walker released his first album, Promised Land
, and followed it with two more records, 1998's Rompin' & Stompin'
and 2001's Rock the Night
.
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
imitations."
History
Walker was born near Clarksdale, MississippiClarksdale, Mississippi
Clarksdale is a city in Coahoma County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 20,645 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Coahoma County....
. Walker Sr. was often referred to by his nickname, Bilbo
Bilbo
Bilbo can refer to:*Bilbo Baggins, protagonist of The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien.*Bilbo, the Basque name for Bilbao, the major city in the Basque Country of northern Spain...
, which was then passed onto to Walker Jr., who was also sometimes called Little Junior Bilbo. Walker began to explore music after his sister's boyfriend introduced him to Ike Turner
Ike Turner
Isaac Wister Turner was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter, arranger, talent scout, and record producer. In a career that lasted more than half a century, his repertoire included blues, soul, rock, and funk...
. After spending 17 years in Chicago, Illinois with his friend David Porter
David Porter (musician)
David Porter is an American soul musician. Porter is best known as the songwriting and production partner of Isaac Hayes at Stax Records during the 1960s...
, Walker moved to the area around Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
and started a farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
growing such commodities as watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...
and cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
. During this time, he continued to perform at local bars in the California area, as well as in Chicago and Clarksdale when on visits. He currently still resides in California.
In 1997, Walker released his first album, Promised Land
Promised Land (Robert Walker)
Promised Land is the first solo studio album released by American blues guitarist Robert Walker after over fifty years of performing. The album was released in 1997 by Rooster Blues...
, and followed it with two more records, 1998's Rompin' & Stompin'
Rompin' & Stompin'
Rompin' and Stompin is the second studio album by American blues rock guitarist Robert Walker. It was recorded on October 22, 1997 and released on April 14, 1998 by Fedora Records, a sub-label of Jazz Depot...
and 2001's Rock the Night
Rock the Night (Robert Walker)
Rock the Night is the first live album by American blues rock guitarist Robert Walker. It was recorded on February 4, 2000 and released on October 23, 2001 by Rooster Blues.- Track listing :#"Cut You A Loose" — 4:33#"Found Love" — 3:45...
.
Discography
- 1997 Promised LandPromised Land (Robert Walker)Promised Land is the first solo studio album released by American blues guitarist Robert Walker after over fifty years of performing. The album was released in 1997 by Rooster Blues...
- Rooster Blues - 1998 Rompin' & Stompin'Rompin' & Stompin'Rompin' and Stompin is the second studio album by American blues rock guitarist Robert Walker. It was recorded on October 22, 1997 and released on April 14, 1998 by Fedora Records, a sub-label of Jazz Depot...
- Fedora - 2001 Rock the NightRock the Night (Robert Walker)Rock the Night is the first live album by American blues rock guitarist Robert Walker. It was recorded on February 4, 2000 and released on October 23, 2001 by Rooster Blues.- Track listing :#"Cut You A Loose" — 4:33#"Found Love" — 3:45...
- Rooster Blues