Junior Walker (born Autry DeWalt, Jr., June 14, 1931 – November 23, 1995) &… Read Full Bio ↴Junior Walker (born Autry DeWalt, Jr., June 14, 1931 – November 23, 1995) & the All Stars were signed to the Motown label in the 1960s, and became one of the label's signature acts.

Junior Walker was born Autry DeWalt Jr. in Blytheville, Arkansas in 1942. Some accounts list his birth name as Oscar G. Mixon, and say his name was changed at some point during his early childhood. He grew up in South Bend, Indiana where he became a proficient saxophone player, studying the methods of some of the prominent sax players of the time. During his teens, DeWalt joined a group called the Jumping Jacks and began to perform in local clubs, calling himself Junior Walker.

He next joined a trio led by drummer Billy "Stix" Nicks, which also featured organist Fred Patton. They soon added backing vocalist and guitarist Willie Woods, and played around northern Indiana and southern Michigan. Walker took over the group after Nicks joined the Army and in the late '50s, relocated to Battle Creek, MI, and formed a band billed as Junior Walker & the All-Stars. Initially, they featured Patton, Woods, and drummer Tony Washington. Patton was later replaced by Victor Thomas, and Washington by Jack Douglas and, finally, James Graves. The All-Stars continued to play around the area, and took up a residency in Battle Creek's El Grotto club.

It was at the El Grotto that they were noticed by Johnny Bristol, who recommended them to Harvey Fuqua, who had sang with Harvey and the Moonglows. By this time, Fuqua was running his own fledgling record label called simply "Harvey". Fuqua liked what he heard and signed Junior Walker and the All Stars in 1962.

The Harvey label was soon bought out by Motown, and the group found itself recording with Soul Records. Soul was a subsidiary of Motown and all of the group's subsequent hits in the US were released on the Soul label, although they had some Tamla/Motown hits on the charts in the UK.

In early 1965, the band scored their first big hit with a dance tune that Walker had written called "Shotgun", which marked Junior's vocal debut. In fact, the only reason he sang the song was that the vocalist he'd hired didn't show up for the session, and he was somewhat flabbergasted by the label's decision to leave his vocal intact. Berry Gordy's instincts proved right, however, when "Shotgun" topped the R&B charts and hit number four on the Pop chart.

In 1966, Graves left and was replaced by old friend Billy "Stix" Nicks. Walker's hits continued with tunes like "I'm a Road Runner" (#20 Pop) and "Pucker Up Buttercup". (#3 Pop) Toward the end of the '60s, seeking to diversify their approach, the All-Stars began recording more ballad material, complete with string arrangements and Walker vocals. That approach resulted in the group's second Top Five pop hit, the R&B number one "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" which helped refuel Walker's career. He landed several more R&B Top Ten hits over the next few years, including a cover of The Guess Who's "These Eyes", which went to number 16 on the Pop chart. Musical tastes changed in the 70's and the final top forty hit for Junior Walker and the All Stars was "Do You See My Love (For You Growing)" in 1970.

Walker resurfaced as a solo artist during the disco era, working with producer Brian Holland beginning in 1976 with the single "Hot Shot". A pair of albums followed. In 1979, Walker joined up with another former Motown mainstay, signing with producer Norman Whitfield's Whitfield label, though without much success.

Walker returned to the spotlight in 1981 with a guest solo on Foreigner's Top Five hit "Urgent". Two years later, he re-signed with Motown and recorded "Blow the House Down". His melodic style was now being absorbed into a new generation of R&B-flavoured jazz instrumentalists.

Junior continued to perform in the 80's and 90's, often with his son Autry DeWalt III on drums. Sadly, Junior Walker developed cancer in 1993 and as his health deteriorated, he had difficulty walking. He died on November 23, 1995 in Battle Creek, Michigan at age 53.

In the wake of his death, Billy "Stix" Nicks continued to tour with a version of the All-Stars.

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Holly Holy
Junior Walker & The All Stars Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Holly holy eyes
Dream of only you
Where I am, what I am
What I believe in

Holly holy
Holly holy dream
Wanting only you

And she comes

And I run just like the wind will
Holly holy

Sing a song
Sing a song of songs
Sing it out
Sing it strong

Call the sun in the dead of the night
And the sun's gonna rise in the sky
Touch a man who can't walk upright
And that lame man, he's gonna fly
And I fly
And I fly

Holly holy love
Take the lonely child
And the seed
Let it be filled with tomorrow
Holly holy

Sing a song
Sing a song of songs
Sing it out
Sing it strong

Call the sun in the dead of the night
And the sun's gonna rise in the sky
Touch a man who can't walk upright
And that lame man, he's gonna fly
And I fly, yeah
And I fly

Holly holy dream
Dream of only you

Holly holy love
Holly holy love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Holly Holy" by Junior Walker & The All Stars explore themes of love, hope, and faith. The opening lines, "Holly holy eyes, Dream of only you, Where I am, what I am, What I believe in," suggest a deep longing and devotion towards someone or something. The use of the word "Holly" in this context could be interpreted as purity or divine presence.

The repetition of "Holly holy" throughout the song emphasizes the power and significance of this love and dream. It expresses a desire for the ultimate connection and fulfillment in this love. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and reliance on this love, as if it is the essence of existence.

The lines "Sing a song, Sing a song of songs, Sing it out, Sing it strong" serve as a call to express this love and belief through music. The act of singing together creates a sense of unity and strength, emphasizing the power of collective action.

The following stanza introduces a more spiritual aspect, expressing the belief in miracles and the ability to overcome challenges. The lyrics suggest that by calling upon the divine, represented by the sun, one can bring about positive change. The lines "Touch a man who can't walk upright, And that lame man, he's gonna fly" symbolize the transformative power of faith and the potential for miracles.

The song concludes by reiterating the themes of love and hope, as well as the focus on the individual's dreams and desires. It emphasizes the importance of this love in shaping the future and creating a better world. Overall, "Holly Holy" is a song that delves into profound emotions and beliefs, encouraging listeners to embrace love, faith, and the power of shared expression.

Holly HolyJunior Walker & The All Stars Lyrics

Holly Holy
Junior Walker & The All Stars Lyrics