Robert Parker was an R&B saxophone player and singer, best known for his 1966 hit 'Barefootin'', which he wrote himself. Born in New Orleans in 1930 he learned to play the sax as a child and by 1949 was playing with Professor Longhair on hits like 'Mardis Gras in New Orleans'. During the 1950s he played with many of the top names in R&B and rock & roll, including Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Earl King, Ernie K-Doe, Eddie Bo, Frankie Ford and Huey Smith.

His debut single as a solo act was 'June Teen' in 1958. In 1959 he had his first hit with the instrumental 'All Night Long'. He signed for Nola records in 1965 and in 1966 scored a top ten US and UK hit with his tribute to barefoot dancing, 'Barefootin''. Wilson Pickett was among the acts to cover the song. Parker toured in Britain extensively in the late 1960s.

From the 1970s his solo career ebbed, but he continued playing live until his 80s. He recorded a new version of 'Barefootin'' in 1984.

Parker died in January 2020, aged 89.

Robert Parker

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