Biography of LaVern Baker

Baker began working Chicago clubs as Little Miss Sharecropper in 1946 and made recordings under that name for National in 1950. She also recorded with the Todd Rhodes band for King, but came to Atlantic in 1953 and quickly emerged as a bright star of R&B with 20 R&B chart hits between 1955 and 1965. The biggest were "Play It Fair," "Jim Dandy," and "I Cried a Tear."These and other hits are available in Soul on Fire (Atlantic). A versatile performer, she also recorded blues (Lavern Baker Sings Bessie Smith) and gospel for Atlantic. After a hiatus, she appeared in the Broadway show Black and Blue. A recent recording of her live nightclub act, Live in Hollywood 91 (Rhino), is available. ~ Bob Porter