Nov 11, 2024
Born on this day 95 years ago: blazingly soulful and sensual rhythm and blues queen LaVern Baker (née Delores LaVern Baker, 11 November 1929 – 10 March 1997). In her prime in the fifties and early sixties, Baker’s only rivals were fellow R&B divas like Ruth Brown and Etta James. My favourite songs by Baker: “Jim Dandy” (1956) (memorably used by John Waters in the Pink Flamingos (1972) soundtrack), the ferocious “Voodoo Voodoo” (1961) and especially her quieter, more subdued moment “I’ll Never Be Free” (1957). Onscreen, the fierce Baker makes a vivid impression (belting out the song “Tra La La”) in the 1956 jukebox musical Rock, Rock, Rock! (starring a young and adorable Tuesday Weld).
