Jump to content

B. J. Baker: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
doc
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,547,813 edits
 
(43 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|singer and songwriter}}{{Infobox person
{{Short description|Singer and songwriter}}
{{Infobox person
| name =
| birth_name = Betty Jane Baker
| birth_name = Betty Jane Phillips
| birth_date = {{birth_date|1927|5|6}}
| birth_date = {{birth_date|1927|5|6}}
| birth_place = [[Birmingham, Alabama]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Birmingham, Alabama]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death_date and age|2002|4|2|1927|6|5}}
| death_date = {{death_date and age|2002|4|2|1927|6|5}}
| death_place = [[Rancho Mirage, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Rancho Mirage, California]], U.S.
| occupation = Singer, songwriter, vocal conductor
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|vocal contractor}}
| years_active = 1944–2002
| years_active = 1944–2002
⚫
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Mickey Rooney]]|1944|1949|reason=divorced}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
⚫
| children = [[Mickey Rooney Jr.]]<br>[[Tim Rooney]]
⚫
* {{marriage|[[Mickey Rooney]]|1944|1949|reason=divorced}}
⚫
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
* {{marriage|[[Buddy Baker (composer)|Buddy Baker]]|1950|1957|reason=divorced}}
⚫
| embed = yes
* {{marriage|[[Barney Kessel]]|1961|1980|reason=divorced}}
| background = solo_singer
⚫
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
⚫
| instruments = Vocals
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
* [[Elvis Presley]]
* [[Frank Sinatra]]
* [[Bobby Darin]]
* [[The Righteous Brothers]]
* [[Sam Cooke]]
}}
}}
⚫
| children = [[Mickey Rooney Jr.]]<br>[[Tim Rooney]]
⚫
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
⚫
| embed = yes
⚫
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
⚫
| instruments = Vocals
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''Betty Jane Baker''' (May 6, 1927 – April 2, 2002) was a singer, songwriter and vocal contractor who worked as a backup singer on recordings by [[Elvis Presley]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Bobby Darin]], [[The Righteous Brothers]] and [[Sam Cooke]], among others. She also sang on the radio, with big bands and did voice work for television and films and appeared on television variety shows.
'''Betty Jane Baker''' (née '''Phillips'''; May 6, 1927 – April 2, 2002) was a singer, songwriter and vocal contractor, who worked as a backup singer on recordings by [[Elvis Presley]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Bobby Darin]], [[The Righteous Brothers]] and [[Sam Cooke]], among others. She also sang on the radio, with [[big band]]s and did voice work for television and films and appeared on television variety shows.


==Life and career==
==Early life and career==
Born '''Betty Jane Phillips''' in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], Baker was [[Miss Alabama]] in 1944 as '''Betty Jane Rase''', and was 4th runner-up in the 1944 [[Miss America Pageant]].<ref>[http://www.missalabama.com/miss-alabama-history "Miss Alabama History"], [[Miss Alabama]], accessed June 11, 2015</ref> She was married to [[Mickey Rooney]] from 1944 to 1949, and the couple had two children, [[Mickey Rooney Jr.]] (b. 1945) and [[Tim Rooney]] (1947–2006). She was married to composer [[Buddy Baker (composer)|Buddy Baker]] from 1950 to 1957, and jazz guitarist [[Barney Kessel]] from 1961 until their divorce in 1980.<ref>[http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2002-04-14/news/0204140148_1_president-sali-berisha-married-beirut "B.J. Baker, 74, a backup singer who worked on hits"], ''Baltimore Sun'', April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012</ref>
Born in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], Baker was [[Miss Alabama]] in 1944 as '''Betty Jane Rase''', and was 4th runner-up in the 1944 [[Miss America Pageant]].<ref>[http://www.missalabama.com/miss-alabama-history "Miss Alabama History"], [[Miss Alabama]], accessed June 11, 2015</ref>


From the 1940s, Baker sang in big bands and on the radio, and in the 1960s, she appeared in several television shows, including the variety shows of [[Dean Martin]] and [[Judy Garland]].<ref>[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117865378/?refCatId=25 "B.J. Baker: Backup singer who worked with Elvis, Sinatra, Cooke"], ''Variety'', April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012</ref> She backed [[Elvis Presley]] in his recording of "[[Can't Help Falling in Love]]", [[Lloyd Price]] in "[[Stagger Lee (song)|Stagger Lee]]", [[Sam Cooke]] in "[[You Send Me]]", [[Bobby Darin]] in "[[Dream Lover]]", [[Frank Sinatra]] in "[[That's Life (song)|That's Life]]", [[Jackie Wilson]] in "[[Baby Workout]]", [[The Righteous Brothers]] in "[[You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin']]" and [[Nancy Sinatra]] on her 1969 album ''[[Nancy (album)|Nancy]]''.<ref name=LATIMES>Cromelin, Richard. [http://articles.latimes.com/2002/apr/13/local/me-baker13 "B.J. Baker, 74; Backed Top Singers of '50s, '60s"], ''Los Angeles Times'', April 13, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012</ref> She also was well regarded as a vocal contractor for backup singers<ref>[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-04-14/news/0204140282_1_backup-singer-barney-kessel-bobby-darin "B.J. Baker, 74, Backup singer on many popular '50s, '60s records"], ''Chicago Tribune'', April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012</ref> and recorded extensively with the [[Anita Kerr]] Singers.<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/artist/B.J.+Baker#t=Credits_All&q=&p=1 B. J. Baker discography], Discogs.com, accessed December 29, 2012</ref>
From the 1940s, Baker sang in [[big band]]s and on the radio, and in the 1960s, she appeared in several television shows, including the variety shows of [[Dean Martin]] and [[Judy Garland]].<ref>[https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117865378/?refCatId=25 "B.J. Baker: Backup singer who worked with Elvis, Sinatra, Cooke"], ''Variety'', April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012</ref> She backed [[Elvis Presley]] in his recording of "[[Can't Help Falling in Love]]", [[Lloyd Price]] in "[[Stagger Lee (song)|Stagger Lee]]", [[Sam Cooke]] in "[[You Send Me]]", [[Bobby Darin]] in "[[Dream Lover]]", [[Frank Sinatra]] in "[[That's Life (song)|That's Life]]", [[Jackie Wilson]] in "[[Baby Workout]]", [[The Righteous Brothers]] in "[[You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin']]" and [[Nancy Sinatra]] on her 1969 album ''[[Nancy (Nancy Sinatra album)|Nancy]]''.<ref name=LATIMES>Cromelin, Richard. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-13-me-baker13-story.html "B.J. Baker, 74; Backed Top Singers of '50s, '60s"], ''Los Angeles Times'', April 13, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012</ref> She recorded extensively with the [[Anita Kerr]] Singers.<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/artist/B.J.+Baker#t=Credits_All&q=&p=1 B. J. Baker discography], Discogs.com, accessed December 29, 2012</ref>


In addition to her studio singing, Baker was the singing voice of Linda Low (played by [[Nancy Kwan]]) in the 1961 film version of ''[[Flower Drum Song (film)|Flower Drum Song]]''<ref name=LATIMES/> and also lent her voice to ''The Story of [[Babar the Elephant|Babar, the Little Elephant]]'' (1968 TV movie), ''Babar Comes to America'' (1971 TV movie) and ''[[Heidi's Song]]'' (1982).
In addition to her studio singing, Baker was the singing voice of Linda Low (played by [[Nancy Kwan]]) in the 1961 film version of ''[[Flower Drum Song (film)|Flower Drum Song]]''<ref name=LATIMES/> and also lent her voice to ''The Story of [[Babar the Elephant|Babar, the Little Elephant]]'' (1968 TV movie), ''Babar Comes to America'' (1971 TV movie) and ''[[Heidi's Song]]'' (1982). She sang two songs ("[[(Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey]]" and "The Rockenschpeel Jingle") as the character Wilma in the [[List_of_The_Flintstones_episodes#Season_2_(1961%E2%80%9362)|2nd season]] "[[The_Flintstones]]" episode, "The Happy Household".{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}


Baker was also well regarded as a vocal contractor for backup singers.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150403004449/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-04-14/news/0204140282_1_backup-singer-barney-kessel-bobby-darin "B.J. Baker, 74, Backup singer on many popular '50s, '60s records"], ''Chicago Tribune'', April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012</ref>
⚫
She died in 2002, at the age of 74, in [[Rancho Mirage, California]], of complications from a stroke.<ref name=LATIMES/>

==Personal life==
Baker was first married to [[Mickey Rooney]] (1920–2014) from 1944 to 1949; the couple had two children, [[Mickey Rooney Jr.]] (1945–2022) and [[Tim Rooney]] (1947–2006). She was later married to composer [[Buddy Baker (composer)|Buddy Baker]] from 1950 to 1957, and jazz guitarist [[Barney Kessel]] (1923–2004) from 1961 until their divorce in 1980.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130118003232/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2002-04-14/news/0204140148_1_president-sali-berisha-married-beirut "B.J. Baker, 74, a backup singer who worked on hits"], ''Baltimore Sun'', April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012</ref>

==Death==
⚫
She died on April 2, 2002, at the age of 74, in [[Rancho Mirage, California]], from complications following a stroke.<ref name=LATIMES/>


==References==
==References==
Line 51: Line 55:
*[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/08/13/rooney_rase.jpg Photo of Baker with Rooney]
*[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/08/13/rooney_rase.jpg Photo of Baker with Rooney]
*[http://www.agefotostock.com/en/Stock-Images/Rights-Managed/ERE-PBDBEJA-CS003-H Photo of Baker in 1948]
*[http://www.agefotostock.com/en/Stock-Images/Rights-Managed/ERE-PBDBEJA-CS003-H Photo of Baker in 1948]
*[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bj-baker-mn0000724080 Extensive list of Baker's credits at Allmusic]
*[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bj-baker-mn0000724080 Extensive list of Baker's credits at Allmusic]
*[http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bj-baker/538832 Baker at Artist Direct]
*[http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bj-baker/538832 Baker at Artist Direct]
*[http://albumcredits.com/Profile/170130 Baker at AlbumCredits.com]{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[http://albumcredits.com/Profile/170130 Baker at AlbumCredits.com]{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Line 66: Line 70:
{{Alabama pageant winners}}
{{Alabama pageant winners}}


{{authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
⚫
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, B. J.}}

⚫
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, BJ}}
[[Category:1927 births]]
[[Category:1927 births]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
[[Category:American female singers]]
[[Category:Disease-related deaths in California]]
[[Category:Miss Alabama winners]]
[[Category:Miss Alabama winners]]
[[Category:Miss America 1940s delegates]]
[[Category:Miss America 1940s delegates]]
[[Category:Miss America Preliminary Talent winners]]
[[Category:Miss America Preliminary Talent winners]]
[[Category:Miss America Preliminary Swimsuit winners]]
[[Category:Miss America Preliminary Swimsuit winners]]
[[Category:Musicians from Birmingham, Alabama]]
[[Category:Singers from Birmingham, Alabama]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:20th-century women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American women singers]]

Latest revision as of 02:49, 9 October 2024

B. J. Baker
Born
Betty Jane Phillips

(1927-05-06)May 6, 1927
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
DiedApril 2, 2002(2002-04-02) (aged 74)
Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • vocal contractor
Years active1944–2002
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1944; div. 1949)​
​
​
(m. 1950; div. 1957)​
​
​
(m. 1961; div. 1980)​
ChildrenMickey Rooney Jr.
Tim Rooney
Musical career
GenresPop
InstrumentsVocals

Betty Jane Baker (née Phillips; May 6, 1927 – April 2, 2002) was a singer, songwriter and vocal contractor, who worked as a backup singer on recordings by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, The Righteous Brothers and Sam Cooke, among others. She also sang on the radio, with big bands and did voice work for television and films and appeared on television variety shows.

Early life and career

[edit]

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Baker was Miss Alabama in 1944 as Betty Jane Rase, and was 4th runner-up in the 1944 Miss America Pageant.[1]

From the 1940s, Baker sang in big bands and on the radio, and in the 1960s, she appeared in several television shows, including the variety shows of Dean Martin and Judy Garland.[2] She backed Elvis Presley in his recording of "Can't Help Falling in Love", Lloyd Price in "Stagger Lee", Sam Cooke in "You Send Me", Bobby Darin in "Dream Lover", Frank Sinatra in "That's Life", Jackie Wilson in "Baby Workout", The Righteous Brothers in "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and Nancy Sinatra on her 1969 album Nancy.[3] She recorded extensively with the Anita Kerr Singers.[4]

In addition to her studio singing, Baker was the singing voice of Linda Low (played by Nancy Kwan) in the 1961 film version of Flower Drum Song[3] and also lent her voice to The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant (1968 TV movie), Babar Comes to America (1971 TV movie) and Heidi's Song (1982). She sang two songs ("(Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey" and "The Rockenschpeel Jingle") as the character Wilma in the 2nd season "The_Flintstones" episode, "The Happy Household".[citation needed]

Baker was also well regarded as a vocal contractor for backup singers.[5]

Personal life

[edit]

Baker was first married to Mickey Rooney (1920–2014) from 1944 to 1949; the couple had two children, Mickey Rooney Jr. (1945–2022) and Tim Rooney (1947–2006). She was later married to composer Buddy Baker from 1950 to 1957, and jazz guitarist Barney Kessel (1923–2004) from 1961 until their divorce in 1980.[6]

Death

[edit]

She died on April 2, 2002, at the age of 74, in Rancho Mirage, California, from complications following a stroke.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Miss Alabama History", Miss Alabama, accessed June 11, 2015
  2. ^ "B.J. Baker: Backup singer who worked with Elvis, Sinatra, Cooke", Variety, April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012
  3. ^ a b c Cromelin, Richard. "B.J. Baker, 74; Backed Top Singers of '50s, '60s", Los Angeles Times, April 13, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012
  4. ^ B. J. Baker discography, Discogs.com, accessed December 29, 2012
  5. ^ "B.J. Baker, 74, Backup singer on many popular '50s, '60s records", Chicago Tribune, April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012
  6. ^ "B.J. Baker, 74, a backup singer who worked on hits", Baltimore Sun, April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012

Further reading

[edit]
  • Bennett, James R. Historic Birmingham & Jefferson County: An Illustrated History, Historical Publishing Network, 2008
  • Marx, Arthur. The Nine Lives of Mickey Rooney (New York: Berkley Publishing Group, 1988 reprint)
  • Rooney, Mickey. Life Is Too Short (New York: Random House, 1991)
  • Summerfield, Maurice J. and Barney Kessel. Barney Kessel Jazz Legend (Ashley Mark Publishing, 2008 paperback)
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Toula Hagestratou
 Miss Alabama
1944 		Succeeded by
Frances Dorn
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=B._J._Baker&oldid=1250209031"