Portrait of LaVern Baker

LaVern Baker

Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA Years: November 11, 1929 - March 10, 1997

LaVern Baker, born Delores LaVern Baker, was an American R&B and rock and roll singer known for her powerful voice, dynamic stage presence, and string of hits in the 1950s and 1960s. Nicknamed 'Little Miss Sharecropper' early in her career, Baker recorded for Atlantic Records from 1953 to 1966, releasing over 20 R&B chart hits including 6 number-one singles: 'Tweedle Dee,' 'Jim Dandy,' 'I Cried a Tear,' 'I Can't Love You Enough,' 'Saved,' and 'See See Rider.' Her songs bridged the gap between R&B and early rock and roll, making her one of the most successful female artists of the era. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Baker influenced generations of singers with her bold style and energetic performances.

R&BRock and RollSoulGospelJump BluesDoo WopBlues

Discography Overview

During her recording career from 1953 to 1966, Baker released over 100 songs on Atlantic Records, with 21 charting on Billboard's R&B chart and 6 reaching number one: 'Tweedle Dee' (1955), 'I Cried a Tear' (1958), 'I Can't Love You Enough' (1958), 'Jim Dandy' (1959), 'Saved' (1961), and 'See See Rider' (1965). Her early success included crossover appeal with white audiences, particularly with 'Tweedle Dee' which reached #5 on Billboard's Hot 100. After retiring from music in 1966 to perform for U.S. troops, she made a comeback in the 1980s, releasing 'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame' album in 1989. Her catalog has sold over 15 million copies worldwide.

Key Albums

  • LaVern Baker (1956)
  • LaVern Baker Sings (1957)
  • The Queen of the Rock and Roll Blues (1958)
  • LaVern (1959)
  • Saved (1961)
  • The Soul of LaVern Baker (1965)

Key Songs

  • Tweedle Dee
  • Jim Dandy
  • I Cried a Tear
  • I Can't Love You Enough
  • Saved
  • See See Rider
  • Bumble Bee
  • Play It Fair
  • Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean
  • Still
  • Souls of Touch
  • I'll Be Satisfied

Career Timeline

  1. 1940s Began performing in Chicago clubs as 'Little Miss Sharecropper'; made early recordings
  2. 1953 Signed with Atlantic Records; changed stage name to LaVern Baker
  3. 1954 Released debut single 'Play It Fair' and 'Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean'
  4. 1955 'Tweedle Dee' became breakthrough hit; reached #5 on Billboard Hot 100; controversy over cover by Georgia Gibbs
  5. 1956 Released debut album 'LaVern Baker'; recorded 'Bumble Bee'
  6. 1957 Released 'I Cried a Tear' album; continued R&B chart success
  7. 1958 Released 'I Can't Love You Enough'; appeared in film 'Rock, Rock, Rock'
  8. 1959 'Jim Dandy' became signature hit; reached #23 on Billboard Hot 100; one of first rock and roll songs by female artist
  9. 1961 Released 'Saved'; combined rock and roll with gospel influences; appeared in film 'The Twist'
  10. 1963 Released 'Souls of Touch' and 'I'll Be Satisfied'
  11. 1965 Released 'See See Rider'; final Atlantic single
  12. 1966 Retired from recording to perform for U.S. military in Vietnam and Germany
  13. 1980s Returned to performing; recorded new material
  14. 1989 Released comeback album 'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame'
  15. 1991 Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  16. 1997 Died from cardiovascular disease in Bronx, New York at age 67

Influence Graph

How LaVern Baker sits in the influence chain

Influenced

  • Aretha Franklin
  • Tina Turner
  • Dusty Springfield
  • Donna Summer
  • The Shirelles
  • Brenda Lee

Similar Artists