LaVern Baker

LaVern Baker (November 11, 1929 - March 10, 1997) was an American Rhythm & Blues singer, originally billed as "Little Miss Sharecropper", then "Bea Baker". She had taken the first name "LaVern" by 1952, when she began recording with Todd Rhodes and his band.

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Born Delores Williams in Chicago, Illinois, in 1953, Baker signed with Atlantic Records, and immediately began releasing hits, such as "Soul on Fire" and "Tweedlee Dee". Georgia Gibbs soon covered "Tweedlee Dee" with a whitewashed version of the song, and Baker unsuccessfully attempted to sue her.

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In addition to singing, Baker also did some work with Ed Sullivan and Alan Freed on TV and in films. In the late 1960s, Baker fell ill after a trip to Vietnam to entertain American soldiers, and she stayed in semi-retirement until 1988, when she performed at Madison Square Garden for Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary. She then worked on the soundtrack to Dick Tracy and appeared in Black & Blue, a Broadway musical, and released a comeback disc that sold moderately well.

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In 1991, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her song "Jim Dandy" was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

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LaVern Baker passed away in 1997 and was interred in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, New York.

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1929: 1929 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar)....

March 10: March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (70th in Leap years). There are 296 days remaining....

1997: 1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar....

LaVern Baker related Images and Photos (experimental)

Baker's Ledge	Scott Baker	Diane Baker	Chet Baker c.1955
Carroll Baker	Stanley Baker	Carroll Baker	Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker	Josephine Baker	Josephine Baker	Josephine Baker