LaVern Baker Biography
| Known as one of the sexiest divas of the mid-50’s Rock & Roll Scene, LaVern Taylor is known for her catchy tunes such as “Tweedlee Dee”, “Bop-Ting-a-Ling” and “Tra La La”. |
Born Delores Williams on November 11, 1929 in Chicago’s south side, she began her career at the Club DeLisa in Chicago and was billed as “Little Miss Sharecropper”. She shortly changed her name to Bea Baker, but finally settled on “LaVern” when she joined the Todd Rhodes’ Band in 1952.
Her solo career began in 1953 debuting with “Soul on Fire”. The Latin tempo “Teedlee Dee” hit the R&B; Charts in 1955 and over the next couple years she released “Bop-Ting-A-Ling”, Play It Fair”, “Still” and “Jim Dandy”; all songs vaulted to the R&B; Top Ten.
LaVern Baker co-starred on the historic R&B; revue segment on the Ed Sullivan show in 1955. She also sang a few numbers in Alan Freed’s rock movies: “Rock, Rock, Rock” and “Mr. Rock & Roll”. In 1958, LaVern released the balled “I Cried A Tear” and later released “Saved” in 1960. In the late 60’s, she entertained troops in Vietnam where she became seriously ill and settled out of the limelight in the Philippines for 22 years!
In 1988, LaVern Baker returned to the United States and starred in Atlantic’s 40th anniversary bash at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Her return to the music scene led to a soundtrack appearance in the movie “Dick Tracy”, a starring role in the Broadway musical “Black & Blue” and a memorable appearance at the Chicago Blues Festival.
LaVern Baker died on March 10, 1997.
Read More on LaVern Baker at http://home.att.net/~marvy42/Lavern/lavern.html
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