B. J. Baker: Difference between revisions

B. J. Baker
B. J. Baker
Born	Betty Jane Phillips; May 6, 1927; Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Died	April 2, 2002 (aged 74); Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.
Occupations	Singer; songwriter; vocal contractor;
Years active	1944–2002
Spouses	; Mickey Rooney (m. 1944; div. 1949) ; Buddy Baker (m. 1950; div. 1957) ; Barney Kessel (m. 1961; div. 1980)
Children	Mickey Rooney Jr.; Tim Rooney
	Musical career
Genres	Pop
Instruments	Vocals

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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

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

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

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

References

^ "Miss Alabama History", Miss Alabama, accessed June 11, 2015
^ "B.J. Baker: Backup singer who worked with Elvis, Sinatra, Cooke", Variety, April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012
^ ^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
^ B. J. Baker discography, Discogs.com, accessed December 29, 2012
^ "B.J. Baker, 74, Backup singer on many popular '50s, '60s records", Chicago Tribune, April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012
^ "B.J. Baker, 74, a backup singer who worked on hits", Baltimore Sun, April 14, 2002, accessed December 29, 2012

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Toula Hagestratou	Miss Alabama 1944	Succeeded by Frances Dorn

[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

[LATIMES-3] 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

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|singer and songwriter}}
+{{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 = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|vocal contractor}}
+| occupation         = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|vocal contractor}}
-| years_active = 1944–2002
+| years_active       = 1944–2002
-| spouse = {{marriage|[[Mickey Rooney]]|1944|1949|reason=divorced}}<br>{{marriage|[[Buddy Baker (composer)|Buddy Baker]]|1950|1957|reason=divorced}}<br>{{marriage|[[Barney Kessel]]|1961|1980|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]]
+| children           = [[Mickey Rooney Jr.]]<br>[[Tim Rooney]]
-| instruments = Vocals}}
+| 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 (Nancy Sinatra 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>
+==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]], of complications from a stroke.<ref name=LATIMES/>
+She died on April 2, 2002, at the age of 74, in [[Rancho Mirage, California]], from complications following a stroke.<ref name=LATIMES/>
 ==References==
@@ Line 45: / Line 55: @@
 *[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.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://albumcredits.com/Profile/170130 Baker at AlbumCredits.com]{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
@@ Line 60: / Line 70: @@
 {{Alabama pageant winners}}
-{{authority control}}
+{{Authority control}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, B. J.}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, BJ}}
 [[Category:1927 births]]
 [[Category:2002 deaths]]
-[[Category:American female singers]]
-[[Category:Disease-related deaths in California]]
 [[Category:Miss Alabama winners]]
 [[Category:Miss America 1940s delegates]]
 [[Category:Miss America Preliminary Talent 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 women singers]]

v t e Alabama pageant winners
Miss Alabama	Betty Jane Rase (1944) Yolande Betbeze (1950) Ann Fowler (1969) Pam Long (1974) Teresa Cheatham (1978) Kim Wimmer (1992) Kalyn Chapman (1993) Heather Whitestone (1994) Amie Beth Dickinson (1994) Leigh Sherer (1995) Alison McCreary (1996) Julie Smith (1999) Jana Sanderson (2000) Kelly Jones (2001) Scarlotte Deupree (2002) Deidre Downs (2004) Chandler Champion (2013) Caitlin Brunell (2014)
Miss Alabama USA	Sylvia Hitchcock (1967) Madeline Mitchell (2011) Katherine Webb (2012) Hannah Brown (2018)
Mrs. Alabama	Madeline Gwin (2015)