Iconic blues pianist, vocalist and songwriter Emery "Detroit Junior" Williams, Jr. died yesterday at his Chicago home of heart failure at the age of 73.
Junior was a raspy-voiced, rambunctious performer who gigged constantly and recorded on scores of other artists' albums, as well as five albums under his own name. Two of his songs have become blues standards - "Call My Job," which was a hit for Albert King, and evergreen favorite "Money Tree." Koko Taylor recorded his "Tired Of That," "Thanks, But No Thanks," and "Never Trust A Man."
Emery Williams, Jr. was already an experienced entertainer and piano player when he came to Chicago in 1956 from Detroit. He was originally from Haynes, Arkansas where he was born on October 26, 1931, and spent his childhood in southern Illinois. He had led his own band, the Blues Chaps, since he was 19, playing clubs in Pontiac and Flint, Michigan.
In Chicago Junior quickly won a following with his percussive piano and energetic stage show. He paired up with harp man Little Mack Simmons, and they settled into a steady gig as house band at Cadillac Baby's South Side club. He recorded his first single, “Money Tree,” backed with “So Unhappy” in 1960 for the Bea & Baby label.
During the '60s Junior performed with Mack Simmons, Eddie Taylor, Sam Lay and Johnny Twist. From 1968 on, he toured and recorded with the Howlin' Wolf. When Wolf died in 1976, Junior stuck with the band, the Wolf Gang, under the leadership of sax man Eddie Shaw for a number of years.
Detroit Junior's first full album under his own name, Chicago Urban Blues , came out in the early 1970s. Alligator Records included four of his songs on the Living Chicago Blues, Volume 6 anthology in 1980. From 1995 through 2004, Detroit Junior released four CDs under his own name, three for Blue Suit Records: Turn Up The Heat (1995), Take Out The Time (1997), and Live At The Toledo Museum Of Modern Art (2004). His most recent release was '04's Blues On The Internet on Delmark.
In the last few years, Junior often appeared on the Chicago's North Side at clubs like Kingston Mines, even after losing a leg to diabetes. He was filmed for Martin Scosese's PBS series, The Blues, and was active writing and performing until his death.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Davis
Oh, sad news! I wonder if his diabetes led to his passing. Detroit Junior was amazing. That cat *was* Chicago blues; the winter holidays just aren't complete in our home without his rendition of "Christmas Day." Man, he played one funky piano.
May he rest in peace.
2 - Eric Olsen
thanks Nat, very little gets past you! They said heart attack, but that could be related too, I would imagine
3 - Natalie Davis
Music means the world to me, Eric, as you know. In terms of cause of death, I knew it was heart failure, and that is a frequent complication of diabetes. Given the amputation of his leg (after which, amazingly, he kept on performing), I assume the disease probably did a number of his entire body. My dad suffered a number of cardiac arrests and strokes (it was a massive stroke that finally killed him), but it all stemmed from diabetes.
Just another reminder: Diabetes is serious business. I know; I have it too. Get tested, folks, watch your diet, don't smoke, and exercise!
4 - Eric Olsen
take care of yourself too, Nat
5 - Joanie
Thank you for a wonderful piece on Detroit Junior, Eric.
6 - Gaby
August 11,2005
I saw Detroit Jr. last March in Chicago. I heard him, watched him,sang with him, laught with him, talk with him and is dearly wife. He describe
me some photos of the blues legend on
the wall at the Rose's club.
That night, I saw a great entertainer.
A great bluesman
Thank you Detroit. I will enjoy your music for the rest of my life...
Gaby from Montreal
7 - SARA
HE WILL BE MISSED,PLAYED AT FALLEN ANGEL, AND AMYTHEST BOTH ON NORTH-SIDE IN THE 80'S AND WAS LOVED BY EVERY-ONE
8 - Dee Dee Wright
Worked with Detroit many times in the past several years and was saddened to learn of his passing. I and many other Chicago area performers will miss his wonderful smile..... always lighting up the room when he entered. He always brought a smile to my face and does now as I think of our times together in the past. His death is a loss for all of us. May Heaven be blessed with his music...
Dee Dee Wright
9 - Mark Jespersen
Dee Dee:
Saw your note on Detroit. Was wondering if you knew how to get in touch with Brian G. I have lost touch with him and would like to say hello, maybe share a couple of chords.
Mark Jespersen
10 - Dee Dee Wright
To Mark Jesperson --- Brian G is local and I know would love to hear from you. Living in Skokie. Did you know Detroit???
Dee Dee
11 - Jamie Thiry
I was looking for a Mark Jesperson in an internet search and this is all I could find. Just wondering if its the Mark Jesperson I knew when I lived in Wyoming. I'd be happy to hear how he was doing if it is the same guy :)
12 - Amber
This is Detroit Jr's granddaughter. It makes me smile when i read how much my grandfather was loved and respected. However i wanted to say that he did have diabetes and he passed due to a heart attack, but he did NOT lose his leg before his death....This was a mistake by the reporters. Thank you all again for the love and support^_^
13 - Mark Jespersen
Dee Dee - I need to look at replies more often than every 5 years. I will look in Skokie for Brian now. [Personal contact info deleted]
14 - Terry
Amber, I see that you are the granddaughter of Detroit Jr, well, I am his daughter Terry and I would like to get in contact with your family. My mother name is Juanita and I am 49 yrs old and he did know about me. If it is possible please send me an email [Personal contact info deleted] to discuss our relation. Thank You