Junei - Let's Ride

Born in Gary, IN., Willie Lee Jr. A.K.A. JUNEI, has contributed his expertise as a "professional stage performer, studio musician, guitar instructor, keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter, producer, and engineer" to years of experience with various musical legends in the music industry. At age 14, Junei' became one of the areas most sought after guitarists in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. While attending "Beckman Junior High school", he auditioned & convinced the band director's to let him become the first guitarist in his hometown of "Gary, Indiana" to play in the schools band . Later, he also became the first guitarist to play in the jazz band at "Gary West Side High School". To date, his playing skills include R&B, Rock & Roll, Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Reggae, Easy Listening, Avante Garde, etc.....

During his sophmore year (1971) at "Gary West Side High", Junei' became the musical director for all special events & activities ( Mr. & Ms. West Side High, The Teachers Laugh Out variety Shows, Award presentations, Student assemblies, etc... ). Also in 1971, Junei' along with (6) other musicians formed a musical group known as " The Lost Weekend" who together gained great acclaim by releasing their first hit single entitled "The Bridge Of Love", selling over 750,000 copies. Following the songs release, "The Lost Weekend" appeared on a television showcase called "Soul Train" sharing the spotlight with international music legend "Al Green" which aired out of "Chicago" and hosted by "Mr. Don Cornelius".

In 1972 at the age of 16, while performing in Gary, Indiana at the "Roberts Motel Show club lounge," Junei' was offered the oppurtunity of a lifetime to tour with Jazz legend "Dizzy Gillespie" & world famous comedian / movie star, "Bob Hope". When not performing nor rehearsing, Junei' spent countless hours composing original compositions ranging from R&B to Rock & Roll building an enormous original song catalog. Throughout his career in his hometown, Junei' formed some of the hottest musical acts in the city!

In 1973 during his senior year in high school, the band directors were so impressed by his musical talents and sincere devotion for the arts that they presented him with countless awards and a musical scholarship to attend "The Berklee School of Music".

Following his high school graduation, (1973) Junei' continued on as the guitarist for "The Lostweekend" throughout it's unstable existance until the bands final breakup in 1977. During this period he also performed with other groups locally & a vocal group based in Kansas City, Kansas known as "Smoke".

In 1978, Junei' left "Gary, Indiana" once again to join forces with another world famous legend and life long friend, vocalist "Nate Evans" along with his Show Revue and continued touring with other musical legends such as , " Albert King, The Impressions, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards, The Emotions, Mary Wells, etc.....

In 1981 after returning back to Gary, Junei' formed a group and named it "The Galaxy" which became the " #1 R&B, Pop, Adult-contemporary band" in the city until it's disbanding 3 years later. One year later, Junei' built his first home-based recording facility in the basement of his parents home. In 1987 he wrote, arranged, produced, played all instrumentation, engineered, mixed, and mastered his first doubled sided 45' single that became an instant hit throughout "Europe" climbing to the top of the song charts. In 1999, Junei' designed and built his first "digital audio recording studio and mastering suite" in Park Forest, IL. He went on to record his first full length self-titled "Smooth Jazz CD" and contnues his career as a world class entertainer performing, recording and promoting his "GOD" given talents..



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