LaVern Baker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
LaVern Baker
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Baker in 1956
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Delores Evans |
| Also known as | Delores Williams Little Miss Sharecropper Bea Baker |
| Born | November 11, 1929 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | March 10, 1997 (aged 67) Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | singer, actress |
| Years active | 1946–1991 |
| Labels | National, Okeh, Columbia, Atlantic, London, Brunswick |
| Associated acts | Jackie Wilson |
Delores LaVern Baker (born November 11, 1929 – died March 10, 1997) was an incredible American R&B singer. She had many hit records on the pop music charts in the 1950s and early 1960s. Some of her most famous songs were "Tweedle Dee" (1955), "Jim Dandy" (1956), and "I Cried a Tear" (1958).
LaVern Baker was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. The Hall of Fame said that her "fiery fusion of blues, jazz and R&B showcased her alluring vocals and set the stage for the rock and roll surge of the Fifties." This means her powerful voice and mix of music styles helped pave the way for rock and roll! Between 1955 and 1965, 20 of her songs became hits on the R&B charts. Even Elvis Presley recorded eight of her songs!
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
LaVern Baker was born Delores Evans in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in Calumet City, Illinois. From a young age, she loved to sing.
A Star on the Rise
LaVern started singing in clubs in Chicago around 1946. At first, she was known as Little Miss Sharecropper. She made her first recordings under this name in 1949. Later, she briefly used the name Bea Baker when recording for Okeh Records in 1951. Finally, she became known as LaVern Baker when she sang with Todd Rhodes and his band in 1952.
In 1953, she signed with Atlantic Records as a solo artist. Her first song with them was "Soul on Fire." Her first big hit came in early 1955 with the catchy song "Tweedle Dee." This song became very popular, reaching number 4 on the R&B chart and number 14 on the national pop chart. Another singer, Georgia Gibbs, recorded a very similar version of the song, which also became a number 1 hit. LaVern Baker tried to protect her music, asking Congress to look into rules about copying songs.
Over the next few years, LaVern Baker had many more hits on the R&B charts with her backing group, the Gliders. These included "Bop-Ting-a-Ling," "Play It Fair," and "Still." In late 1956, she had another huge hit with "Jim Dandy." This song was number 1 on the R&B chart and number 17 on the pop chart. It sold over one million copies, earning a "gold disc" award!
More hits followed, like "Jim Dandy Got Married," "I Cried a Tear" (which featured the famous saxophonist King Curtis), "I Waited Too Long," "Saved," and "See See Rider" in 1963. Besides singing, LaVern also appeared on TV shows with hosts like Ed Sullivan and Alan Freed. She was also in movies such as Rock, Rock, Rock and Mr. Rock & Roll. In 1964, she recorded an album to honor the legendary blues singer Bessie Smith.
LaVern Baker toured Australia in 1957 with other rock 'n' roll bands, including Bill Haley and the Comets. She also recorded a duet with Jackie Wilson called "Think Twice."
Life Beyond the Stage
After her marriage to Eugene Williams ended, LaVern Baker married comedian Slappy White in 1959. Later, she joined a USO tour, performing for American troops. While traveling, she became very ill. After recovering at a U.S. naval base in the Philippines, she decided to stay there. She worked as the entertainment director at the Marine Corps Staff NCO club for 22 years! She returned to the United States in 1988 when the base closed.
Return to Music and Lasting Legacy
In 1988, LaVern Baker performed at Madison Square Garden for Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary celebration. She then worked on music for movies like Shag (1989), Dick Tracy (1990), and A Rage in Harlem (1991).
In 1990, she made her Broadway debut, starring in the musical Black and Blue. She released new albums, including Live in Hollywood (1991) and Woke Up This Morning (1992). Even after facing serious health challenges in 1994, she bravely continued to perform. Her last recording was "Jump into the Fire" for a tribute album to Harry Nilsson in 1995.
LaVern Baker received many awards for her amazing career. In 1990, she was one of the first people to get the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. In 1991, she became only the second female solo artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, after Aretha Franklin. Her song "Jim Dandy" was named one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Rolling Stone magazine also ranked "Jim Dandy" as number 343 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2020, LaVern Baker was also inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Later Years
LaVern Baker passed away on March 10, 1997, at the age of 67. She was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, New York. Years later, local historians raised money to place a headstone on her grave, which was put up on May 4, 2008.
Discography
LaVern Baker released many popular singles and albums throughout her career. Some of her notable albums include LaVern (1956), LaVern Baker (1957), LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith (1958), Blues Ballads (1959), Precious Memories: LaVern Baker Sings Gospel (1959), Saved (1961), See See Rider (1963), and Let Me Belong to You (1970).
See also
In Spanish: LaVern Baker para niños
