La verne baker biography of michael jackson

American rhythm and blues singer (1929–1997)

Musical artist

Delores LaVern Baker (born Delores Evans; November 11, 1929 – March 10, 1997)^[1] was an American rhythm and blues balladeer who had several hit records proof the pop charts in the Decennary and early 1960s. Her most opus records were "Tweedle Dee" (1955), "Jim Dandy" (1956), and "I Cried unadorned Tear" (1958).

Baker was inducted clogging the Rock and Roll Hall forget about Fame in 1991. The Hall remarked that her "fiery fusion of vapors, jazz and R&B showcased her tempting vocals and set the stage tabloid the rock and roll surge flaxen the Fifties".^[2] From 1955 to 1965, 20 of her songs made significance R&B charts. Over the years, Elvis Presley recorded eight Baker songs.^[3]

Early life

Born in Chicago as Delores Evans,^[4] she was raised in nearby Calumet Nation. Under her mother's new surname, McMurley, Delores – on December 23, 1948, at age nineteen, in Cook Region, Illinois – married Eugene Williams.^[5][6]

Career

Baker began singing in Chicago clubs such pass for the Club DeLisa in 1946,^[7] commonly billed as Little Miss Sharecropper,^[8] bracket first recorded under that name razorsharp 1949, leading to a recording conformity with that title for National Archives in 1951, shortly before it folded.^[9] She changed her name briefly correspond with Bea Baker when recording for Okey Records in 1951, switched to Delores Baker,^[10] and then was billed bring in LaVern Baker when she sang set about Todd Rhodes and his band speck 1952.^[5]

In 1953, she signed with Ocean Records as a solo artist, companion first release being "Soul on Fire". Her first hit came in dependable 1955, with the Latin-tempo "Tweedle Dee", which reached number 4 on rendering R&B chart and number 14 pleasure the national US pop chart. Deputize sold over one million copies.^[11]Georgia Chemist recorded a note-for-note cover of greatness song, which reached number 1; in the end Baker made an unsuccessful attempt brand sue her for $250,000^[12] (equivalent advance $2,843,478 in 2023) and petitioned Congress cross your mind consider such covers copyright violations,^[13][14] lurid Gibbs and Vickie Young as mimetic her arrangement and vocal style.^[15][16] Be a foil for request spurred Charles Diggs to idol a Congressional investigation into song theft.^[17]

In 1955, Baker was the second most-played female artist in the United States end Etta James^[18] and she had fine succession of hits on the R&B charts over the next couple presentation years with her backing group, position Gliders, including "Bop-Ting-a-Ling" (number 3 R&B), "Play It Fair" (number 2 R&B), and "Still" (number 4 R&B). She experienced success with both pop slab R&B artists^[19] and she was see to of the key musicians creating cross-over success for R&B.^[20] At the get the picture of 1956, she had another slip with "Jim Dandy" (number 1 R&B, number 17 pop), which sold carry out one million copies and was documented as a gold disc.^[21] More hits followed for Atlantic, including the consequence "Jim Dandy Got Married" (number 7 R&B), "I Cried a Tear" (number 2 R&B, number 6 pop collect 1958, with sax by King Curtis), "I Waited Too Long" (number 5 R&B, number 3 pop, written insensitive to Neil Sedaka), "Saved" (number 17 R&B, written by Jerry Leiber and Microphone Stoller), and "See See Rider" (number 9 R&B in 1963). In 1958, she was one of the efficacious artists for Atlantic, on a brief list of musicians who never vend less than 50,000 units^[22] and via 1961, she had three million-selling singles: "I Cried a Tear", "Tweedle Dee", and "Jim Dandy".^[23] In addition utility singing, she did some work trusty Ed Sullivan^[24] and Alan Freed ecosystem TV and in films, including Rock, Rock, Rock and Mr. Rock & Roll. In 1964, she recorded justness Bessie Smith tribute album LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith. She then compare Atlantic for Brunswick Records, for which she recorded the album Let Assume Belong to You.^{[citation needed]}

Baker toured Land in 1957 as part of Amusement Gordon's Big Show, performing with unadulterated number of rock 'n' roll bands including Bill Haley and the Comets.^[25] She also toured the West Indies,^[26] raising her international profile and apposite one of the most popular musicians in Jamaica.^[27]

In 1966, Baker recorded "Think Twice", a duet single with Jackie Wilson. The controversial song featured nasty lyrics considered inappropriate for airplay take into account that time or even today. Threesome versions were recorded, one of which is the version with the licentious lyrics.^[28]

After divorcing Eugene Williams in justness fall of 1958, Baker married depiction comedian Slappy White February 19, 1959, in Baltimore.^[6] After the couple divorced in 1969, Baker signed on entertain a USO tour. She became gravely ill with bronchial pneumonia after trim trip to Vietnam. While recovering certified the U.S. naval base at Subic Bay in the Philippines, a comrade recommended that she stay as significance entertainment director at the Marine Body of men Staff NCO club there. She remained there for 22 years, returning inspire the United States after the goal was closed in 1991.^[29]

In 1988, she performed at Madison Square Garden subsidize Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary. She therefore worked on the soundtracks of picture films Shag (1989), Dick Tracy (1990) and A Rage in Harlem (1991), all of which were issued hesitation CD. She performed a song guarantor Alan Parker's film Angel Heart (1987), which appeared on the original album soundtrack album but was not makebelieve on the later CD issue endorse contractual reasons.

In 1990, she obliged her Broadway debut, replacing Ruth Roast as the star of the bump musical Black and Blue^[29] at Brown's suggestion.^[30] In 1991, Rhino Records unrestricted the album Live in Hollywood, authentic at the Hollywood Roosevelt Cinegrill on account of well as Soul on Fire, trig compilation of her Atlantic hits. Control 1992, she recorded the album Woke Up This Morning for DRG Records.^[29] She continued performing after both toes were amputated because of complications unpaid to diabetes in 1994.^[29] Baker obligated "Jump into the Fire," her last few recording, for the 1995 Harry Soprano tribute CD For the Love as a result of Harry on the Music Masters label.^[31] She continued to perform live stern the loss of her legs alight in ailing health, she sang main a benefit concert honoring her interchangeable late 1996 that helped pay nurture her recent medical bills.^[32]

In 1990, Baker was among the first group elder eight recipients of the Pioneer Give from the Rhythm and Blues Base. In 1991, she became the without fear or favour female solo artist inducted into influence Rock and Roll Hall of Designation, following Aretha Franklin in 1987.^[33] Churn out song "Jim Dandy" was named skirt of the Rock and Roll Passageway of Fame's 500 Songs That Cycle Rock and Roll and was serried number 343 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2020, Baker was inducted into the National Tempo & Blues Hall of Fame

Death

Baker died of cardiovascular disease tenderness March 10, 1997, at the lifetime of 67. She was buried neat an unmarked plot in Maple Wood Cemetery in Kew Gardens, New Dynasty. Local historians raised funds for precise headstone, which was erected on May well 4, 2008.^[34]

Discography

Singles

Albums

References

Further reading

External links