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Robert Parker (singer)

American R&B singer (1930–2020)


American R&B singer (1930–2020)

FieldValue
nameRobert Parker
image
birth_date
birth_placeMobile, Alabama, U.S.
death_date
death_placeRoseland, Louisiana, U. S.
originNew Orleans, Louisiana, U.S
genreR&B
occupation{{flatlist
years_active1949–2009
labelRon, Imperial, Nola, Island
associated_actsProfessor Longhair
  • Singer
  • songwriter

Robert Parker (October 14, 1930 – January 19, 2020) was an American R&B singer. His sole hit was "Barefootin'" (1966), and he is considered a one-hit wonder.

Life and career

Robert Parker, Jr. was born in Mobile, Alabama, to Robert and Leana Parker. and started his career as a saxophonist, playing with Professor Longhair on his hit "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" in 1949.

During the 1950s, Parker played alto and tenor saxophone with many of the most popular New Orleans performers, appearing on records by Eddie Bo, Huey "Piano" Smith, Earl King, James Booker, Ernie K-Doe, Tommy Ridgley, Fats Domino and others in New Orleans, and backed up visiting R&B artists including Solomon Burke, Lloyd Price, Jerry Butler, and Otis Redding.

By 1958, he had started recording solo, having a local hit with the instrumental "All Nite Long" a year later. In 1965 he signed for Nola Records, and teaming up with producer Wardell Quezergue had his biggest hit with "Barefootin' ", which he had written. It sold over one million copies, made the pop charts in Britain and elsewhere, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.{{cite book | url-access= registration

In April 2007, in recognition of his contributions to Louisiana and national music, Parker was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. On July 19, 2009, he performed "Barefootin'" and "Where the Action Is" in a 'Tribute to Wardell Quezergue', a concert at Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York.

Parker died on January 19, 2020, at his home in Roseland, Louisiana, at the age of 89 of natural causes.

Discography

Studio albums

  • *Barefootin''' (1966) – No. 16 *Billboard'' Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

Compilation albums

  • ''Get Ta Steppin''' (1987)
  • Barefootin' Plus 13 More Golden Classics (1987)
  • The Wardell Quezerque Sessions (2002)
  • An Introduction to Robert Parker (2006)

Singles

YearSingleChart PositionsUKUS
Hot 100/
Bubbling
UnderUS R&B/
Hip-Hop
1958"June Teen"
1959"All Nite Long (Part 1)"113
1960"Walkin'"
1962"Mash Potatoes All Night Long"
"You're Looking Good"
1963"Please Forgive Me"
"The Laughing Monkey"
1966"Barefootin'"2472
"The Scratch"124
"Tip Toe"8348
"A Letter to Santa"
1967"Yak Yak Yak"
"Everybody's Hip-Huggin'"
"I Caught You in a Lie"
1968"Soul Sister"
"Bow Legs"
"Funky Soul Train"
1969"You Shakin' Things Up"
1970"The Hiccup"
"You See Me"
1972"Barefootin'"
1974"Get Ta Steppin'"
"Barefootin'"
1975"Give Me the Country Side of Life"
1976"A Little Bit of Something (Is Better Than a Whole Lot of Nothing"
1987"Barefootin'"90

References

References

  1. [http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/rparker.htm Robert Parker], ''Soulfulkindamusic.net'']. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  2. Bruce Eder. (October 14, 1930). "Robert Parker | Biography".
  3. John Sinclair (2002), Robert Parker:The Wardell Querzegue Sessions, Night Train Int CD 7107
  4. Whitburn, Joel. (1996). "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–1995". Record Research.
  5. "ROBERT PARKER – 2007". Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
  6. "Robert Parker Jr October 14, 1930 – January 19, 2020".
  7. (January 19, 2020). "Barefootin' singer Robert Parker passes away".
  8. "Robert Parker".
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