Junia Walker

Reggae singer, writer, producer and label owner. Known as Junior Walker and “Junia” or "Junia Walker" from 1982 and on. Born 1st January 1954 in Kingston, Jamaica. Died 22nd May 2019 in Manchester, UK. After attending high school Junia started working at Barclays Bank and launched his Black Equinox Soundsystem that would mainly play at bank parties. To buy records for his sound system, he could often be found at The Wailer's first Tuff Gong store at 127 King Street, Kingston. Keith Hudson had his office on the second floor of the same building. In 1974, Junia comes into contact with Keith Hudson. Through his contacts at the bank, he was able to help Hudson with the financing of his productions. Junia gave Hudson the idea to record a dub album. Hudson let Junia pick his favourite songs from his own sound system, hence the title of the dub album: 'Pick A Dub'. He made his recording debut around 1975. For a Montego Bay sound system called "Roots Special", he deejayed on 4 tracks from Keith Hudson and 3 tracks from King Tubby, all voiced at King Tubby's. In 1979 he follows Keith Hudson to Queens, New York, to jointly run the Joint International label from there. In the same year Junia's own Jusic International label was launched. His first production released in 1980 is a 12" Disco Mix with Woody Noble, Jah Stitch, and John Steele. Encouraged by King Tubby, he starts his own singing career in 1982. To avoid confusion with the American saxophonist Jr. Walker, he changes his name from Junior to Junia. In 1984 his first album 'Roots, Rock, Reggae Showcase' was released. When Keith Hudson dies a few months later, Junia offers his widow Jean Hudson support in various ways. The Joint International label is being rebuilt into Jusic Joint. From 1988 Junia became involved in booking reggae artists for shows mainly in Houston, Texas, including Tennor Saw (his last performance), Joe Higgs, Sister Carol, Supercat, Horace Andy and Frankie Paul. From the early 00's Junia started (re)releasing most of his recordings. He kept on recording until his untimely death in 2019. In 2011 he released his autobiography: 'Junia Reggae : The Journey from King Street'.