LaVern Baker (November 11, 1929 – March 10, 1997) was an American rhythm and blues singer.
She was born Delores Baker in Chicago, Illinois. She is occasionally referred to as Delores Williams because of an early marriage to Eugene Williams. She was the niece of blues singer Merline Johnson and was also related to Memphis Minnie.
She began singing in Chicago clubs around 1946, often billed as "Little Miss Sharecropper", and first recorded under that name in 1949. She changed her name briefly to "Bea Baker" when recording for Okeh Records in 1951, and then became LaVern Baker when singing with Todd Rhodes and his band in 1952.
Visit the LaVern Baker exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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