Robert Parker (born 14 October 1930,
New Orleans,
Louisiana) is an
American R&B singer and
musician, best known for his 1966
hit, "Barefootin’".
Parker started his career as a
saxophonist, playing with
Professor Longhair on his hit "Mardi Gras In New Orleans" in 1949. Over the next decade, he played with most of New Orleans’ great musicians, including
Fats Domino,
Irma Thomas, and
Huey “Piano” Smith. By 1958, he had started
recording solo, having a local hit with the
instrumental "All Night Long".
In 1965 he signed for Nola Records, and had his biggest hit with "Barefootin’",
arranged and
produced by
Wardell Quezergue. This reached #2 on the
U.S. R&B chart and #7 on the
Billboard Hot 100 chart. His
record label claimed the
record sold over one million copies.
