Robert Walker (musician)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Bilbo
- Little Junior Bilbo
February 19, 1937
Robert Walker | |
|---|---|
| Also known as |
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| Born | Robert Walker Jr. February 19, 1937 Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | November 29, 2017 (aged 80) California, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1970s–2017 |
| Labels | Rooster Blues |
Robert "Bilbo" Walker Jr. (February 19, 1937 – November 29, 2017) was an American blues musician,[1] who is known in the blues music world due to his "rock 'n' roll showmanship" and "flamboyant Chuck Berry imitations."[2]
Walker was born near Clarksdale, Mississippi. Walker Sr. was often referred to by his nickname, "Bilbo", which was passed on to Walker Jr., who was sometimes called "Little Junior Bilbo".[1] Walker began to explore music after being introduced to Ike Turner.[3]
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.[1] During this time, he continued to perform at local bars in the California area, as well as in Chicago and Clarksdale when on visits.[1]
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.[4] He appeared in the 2015 documentary film, I Am the Blues.[5]
Walker died of cancer in California at the age of 80.[3] In 2018 the Killer Blues Headstone Project placed a headstone for Robert Walker at Oakridge Cemetery in Clarksdale, Mississippi.[6]
