MacHouston "Mickey" Baker (October 15, 1925 – November 27, 2012) was an American guitarist, best known for his work as a studio musician and as part of the recording duo

Mickey & Sylvia Mickey & Sylvia was an American R&B duo composed of Mickey Baker and Sylvia Vanderpool, who later became Sylvia Robinson. They are best known for their number-one R&B single "Love Is Strange" in 1957. Baker and Vanterpool began recording toge ...

Early life

Baker was born in

Louisville, Kentucky Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border ...

. His mother was black, and his father, whom he never met, was believed to be white. In 1936, at the age of 11, Baker was put into an

orphanage An orphanage is a Residential education, residential institution, total institution or group home, devoted to the Childcare, care of orphans and children who, for various reasons, cannot be cared for by their biological families. The parent ...

. He ran away frequently, and had to be retrieved by the staff from St. Louis, New York City, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. Eventually the orphanage quit looking for him, and at the age of 16 he stayed in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

. He found work as a laborer and then a dishwasher. But after hanging out in the pool halls of 26th Street, he gave up work to become a full-time pool shark. At 19, Baker decided to make a change in his life. He went back to dishwashing, and was determined to become a jazz musician. The

trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitched one octave below the standard ...

was his first choice for an instrument, but with only $14 saved up, he could not find a

pawnshop A pawnbroker is an individual or business (pawnshop or pawn shop) that offers secured loans to people, with items of personal property used as collateral. The items having been ''pawned'' to the broker are themselves called ''pledges'' o ...

with anything but guitars for that price.Liner notes for ''The Legendary Mickey Baker'' by Stefan Grossman He enrolled at The New York School of Music, but found the learning pace too slow. He dropped out and resolved to teach himself, but gave up shortly afterwards. Six months later he met a street guitarist who inspired him to start playing again. He continued taking private lessons from different teachers over the next few years. His musical style was influenced by saxophonist

Charlie Parker Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz saxophonist, band leader and composer. Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading figure in the development of bebop, a form ...

Career

By 1949, Baker had his own combo, and a few paying jobs. He decided to move west, but found that audiences there were not receptive to progressive jazz music. Baker was stranded without work in California when he saw a show by blues guitarist

Pee Wee Crayton Connie Curtis Crayton (December 18, 1914 – June 25, 1985), known as Pee Wee Crayton, was an American R&B and blues guitarist and singer. Career Crayton was born in Rockdale, Texas. He began playing guitar seriously after moving to California ...

. Baker said of the encounter: "I asked Pee Wee, 'You mean you can make money playing that stuff on guitar?' Here he was driving a big white

Eldorado El Dorado (, ; Spanish for "the golden"), originally ''El Hombre Dorado'' ("The Golden Man") or ''El Rey Dorado'' ("The Golden King"), was the term used by the Spanish in the 16th century to describe a mythical tribal chief (''zipa'') or king o ...

and had a huge bus for his band. So I started bending strings. I was starving to death, and the blues was just a financial thing for me then." He found a few jobs in Richmond, California, and made enough money to return to New York. After returning east, Baker began recording for

Savoy Savoy (; frp, Savouè ; french: Savoie ) is a cultural-historical region in the Western Alps. Situated on the cultural boundary between Occitania and Piedmont, the area extends from Lake Geneva in the north to the Dauphiné in the south. Savo ...

King King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king. *In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the tit ...

and

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most i ...

. He did sessions with

Doc Pomus Jerome Solon Felder (June 27, 1925 – March 14, 1991), known professionally as Doc Pomus, was an American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known as the co-writer of many rock and roll hits. Pomus was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall ...

The Drifters The Drifters are several American doo-wop and R&B/Soul music, soul vocal groups. They were originally formed as a backing group for Clyde McPhatter, formerly the lead tenor of Billy Ward and his Dominoes in 1953. The second group of Drifters, f ...

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...

Ivory Joe Hunter Ivory Joe Hunter (October 10, 1914 – November 8, 1974) was an American rhythm-and-blues singer, songwriter, and pianist. After a series of hits on the US R&B chart starting in the mid-1940s, he became more widely known for his hit recordin ...

Ruth Brown Ruth Alston Brown (; January 12, 1928 – November 17, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter and actress, sometimes referred to as the " Queen of R&B". She was noted for bringing a pop music style to R&B music in a series of hit songs for Atl ...

, Big Joe Turner,

Louis Jordan Louis Thomas Jordan (July 8, 1908 – February 4, 1975) was an American saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and bandleader who was popular from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Known as " the King of the Jukebox", he earned his high ...

Coleman Hawkins Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Yanow, Scot"Coleman Hawkins: Artist Biography" AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2013. One of the first p ...

, Dion and numerous other artists. Inspired by the success of Les Paul & Mary Ford, he formed the pop duo

(with

Sylvia Robinson Sylvia Robinson (née Vanderpool; May 29, 1935 – September 29, 2011) was an American singer, record producer, and record label executive. Robinson achieved success as a performer on two R&B chart toppers: as half of Mickey & Sylvia with ...

, one of his guitar students) in the mid-1950s. Together, they had a

hit single A hit song, also known as a hit record, hit single or simply a hit, is a recorded song or instrumental that becomes broadly popular or well-known. Although ''hit song'' means any widely played or big-selling song, the specific term ''hit record' ...

with "

Love Is Strange "Love Is Strange" is a crossover hit by American rhythm and blues duet Mickey & Sylvia, which was released in late November 1956 by the Groove record label. The song was based on a guitar riff by Jody Williams and was written by Bo Diddley ...

" in 1956. After the duo split up in the late 1958, Baker recorded with Kitty Noble as Mickey & Kitty. They released three records on

in 1959. In late 1959, Baker released his debut solo album, ''The Wildest Guitar'', on Atlantic. Mickey & Sylvia reunited in 1960 and sporadically worked together on additional tracks until the mid-1960s. Around this time he moved to France, where he worked with

Ronnie Bird Ronnie may refer to: *Ronnie (name), a unisex pet name and given name *Ronnie (Four Seasons song), "Ronnie" (Four Seasons song), a song by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe *"Ronnie," a song from the Metallica album ''Load (album), Load'' *Ronnie Brunswijk ...

and

Chantal Goya Chantal de Guerre (; born 10 June 1942), known as Chantal Goya (), is a French singer and actress. Goya started her career as a ''yé-yé'' girl, singing a catchy mid-1960s hybrid of girl-group pop and French ''chanson''. She also enjoyed a car ...

and made a few

solo Solo or SOLO may refer to: Arts and entertainment Comics * ''Solo'' (DC Comics), a DC comics series * Solo, a 1996 mini-series from Dark Horse Comics Characters * Han Solo, a ''Star Wars'' character * Jacen Solo, a Jedi in the non-canonical ''S ...

records. He would remain in France for the rest of his life. Up until the end of his life, Baker was rarely without work. As well as his influential series of guitar tutor books, he recorded two albums during the 1970s with British label Big Bear Records, one, ''Take A look Inside,'' as the featured artist and another as sideman to legendary trombonist

Gene Conners Eugene Conners (December 28, 1930 – June 10, 2010), known as Gene Conners, was an American trombonist and singer. He was known as the "Mighty Flea". Conners was born in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, and grew up in New Orleans, and may h ...

. Baker appeared at the 1975 version of the Roskilde Festival. Because Baker revealed very few details about his private life, reasons for his move to France were never made completely clear. Some media sources claimed that Baker had grown tired of the business aspects of the commercial music industry in the United States, while others stated that the bi-racial Baker was angered by the growing rate of hate crimes in the southern United States, during the burgeoning civil rights movement.

Personal life

Baker guarded his personal life as much as possible, giving few interviews and making only sporadic public appearances. After moving to France, he rarely left the country, and made very few trips to the United States. Baker was married six times. Among his wives were Barbara Castellano from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s, and Marie France-Drei, a singer with whom he stayed from the early 1980s until his death. Baker had two children; a son, MacHouston, Jr., and a daughter, Bonita Lee.

Death

Baker died on November 27, 2012 near

Toulouse Toulouse ( , ; oc, Tolosa ) is the prefecture of the French department of Haute-Garonne and of the larger region of Occitania. The city is on the banks of the River Garonne, from the Mediterranean Sea, from the Atlantic Ocean and from Par ...

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

, aged 87. His wife, Marie, said he died of heart and kidney failure.

Books

Baker's self-tuition method book series, the ''Complete Course in Jazz Guitar'' is a mainstay for introducing students of guitar to the world of jazz. They have remained in print for over 50 years.

Awards and honors

In 1999, Baker received the Pioneer Award from the

Rhythm and Blues Foundation The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is an independent American nonprofit organization dedicated to the historical and cultural preservation of rhythm and blues music. The idea for the foundation came in 1987 during discussions about royalties with en ...

. In 2003, Baker was listed at No. 53 on ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...

s "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". In 2004, "Love Is Strange" was inducted into the

Grammy Hall of Fame The Grammy Hall of Fame is a hall of fame to honor musical recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance. Inductees are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of ...

Discography

As leader

* ''The Wildest Guitar'' (Atlantic, 1959) * ''Bossa Nova en Direct du Bresil'' (Versailles, 1962) * ''Mickey Baker Plays Mickey Baker'' (Versailles, 1962) * ''But Wild'' (King, 1963) * ''Bluesingly Yours'' with Memphis Slim (Polydor, 1968) * ''Mickey Baker in Blunderland'' (Major Minor, 1970) * ''The Blues and Me'' (Black and Blue, 1974) * ''Take a Look Inside'' (Big Bear, 1975) * ''Tales from the Underdog'' (Artist, 1975) * ''Mississippi Delta Dues'' (Blue Star, 1975) * ''Up On the Hill'' (Roots, 1975) * ''Blues and Jazz Guitar'' (Kicking Mule, 1977) * ''Jazz Rock Guitar'' (Kicking Mule, 1978) * ''Sweet Harmony'' (Bellaphone, 1980) * ''Back to the Blues'' (Blue Silver, 1981) * ''The Legendary Mickey Baker'' (Shanachie, 1991) * ''New Sounds'' (Legacy, 2015)

As sideman

With

Colette Magny Colette Magny (31 October 1926 – 12 June 1997) was a French singer and songwriter. A charismatic performer who did not record until her thirties, her work encompassed blues, jazz, protest songs, experimental music and spoken word recordin ...

* ''Melocoton'' (CBS, 1963) * ''Frappe Ton Coeur'' (Le Chant du Monde, 1963) * ''Colette Magny'' (Le Chant du Monde, 1967) With others *

Big Maybelle Mabel Louise Smith (May 1, 1924 – January 23, 1972), known professionally as Big Maybelle, was an American R&B singer. Her 1956 hit single " Candy" received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999. Childhood and musical background Born in J ...

, ''The Okeh Sessions'' (Charly, 1983) *

, ''L'amour Nous Rend Fou'' (Decca, 1964) *

Clarence Gatemouth Brown Clarence may refer to: Places Australia * Clarence County, New South Wales, a Cadastral division * Clarence, New South Wales, a place near Lithgow * Clarence River (New South Wales) * Clarence Strait (Northern Territory) * City of Clarence, a lo ...

, ''The Blues Ain't Nothing'' (Black and Blue, 1972) *

Nappy Brown Napoleon Brown Goodson Culp (October 12, 1929 – September 20, 2008) better known by his stage name Nappy Brown, was an American Rhythm and blues, R&B singing, singer. His hit record, hits include the 1955 ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard' ...

, ''Don't Be Angry!'' (Savoy, 1984) *

, ''

'' (Atlantic, 1957) * Ruth Brown, ''

Miss Rhythm ''Miss Rhythm'' is an album by vocalist Ruth Brown featuring tracks recorded between 1954 and 1959 and released on the Atlantic Records, Atlantic label.Solomon Burke, ''1960 Debut Album'' (WaxTime, 2018) *

Milt Buckner Milton Brent Buckner (July 10, 1915 – July 27, 1977) was an American jazz pianist and organist, who in the early 1950s popularized the Hammond organ.Arwulf ArwulfMilt Buckner biography All Music. He pioneered the parallel chords styleFeathe ...

, ''Rockin' Hammond'' (Capitol, 1956) * Eric Charden, ''Eric Charden'' (Vega, 1963) * Gene "The Might Flea" Connors, ''Let The Good Times Roll'' (Big Bear, 1973) *

Buck Clayton Wilbur Dorsey "Buck" Clayton (November 12, 1911 – December 8, 1991) was an American jazz trumpeter who was a member of Count Basie's orchestra. His principal influence was Louis Armstrong, first hearing the record "Confessin' That I Love You" ...

, ''Buck Clayton and Friends'' (Gitanes Jazz, 2007) *

Jimmy Dawkins James Henry “Jimmy” Dawkins (October 24, 1936 – April 10, 2013) was an American Chicago blues and electric blues guitarist and singer. He is generally considered to have been a practitioner of the "West Side sound" of Chicago blues. Caree ...

, ''Jimmy Dawkins'' (Vogue, 1972) *

Jean-Jacques Debout Jean-Jacques Debout (born 9 March 1940, in Paris) is a French singer-songwriter. In addition to his albums, he has written for a number of renowned artists like Johnny Hallyday, Sylvie Vartan, Dalida Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti (; 17 Janua ...

, ''Jean-Jacques Debout'' (Vogue, 1964) *

Bill Doggett William Ballard Doggett (February 16, 1916 – November 13, 1996) was an American pianist and organist. He began his career playing swing music before transitioning into rhythm and blues. Best known for his instrumental compositions "Honky Tonk" ...

, ''Moondust'' (Odeon, 1959) *

Champion Jack Dupree William Thomas "Champion Jack" Dupree (July 23, 1909 or July 4, 1910 – January 21, 1992) was an American blues and boogie-woogie pianist and singer. His nickname was derived from his early career as a boxer. Biography Dupree was a New Orleans ...

, ''Champion Jack Dupree and His Blues Band Featuring Mickey Baker'' (Decca, 1967) * Champion Jack Dupree, ''I'm Happy to Be Free'' (Vogue, 1972) * Stefan Grossman, ''Friends Forever'' (Guitar Workshop, 2008) *

, ''Disorder at the Border'' (Milan, 1989) * Screamin' Jay Hawkins, ''At Home with Screamin' Jay Hawkins'' (Epic, 1958) * Screamin' Jay Hawkins, ''...What That Is!'' (Philips, 1969) * Little Willie John, ''Fever'' (King, 1956) *

, ''Somebody Up There Digs Me'' (Mercury, 1962) * Booker T. Laury, ''Nothing but the Blues'' (Blue Silver, 1981) * Booker T. Laury, ''Booker in Paris'' (EPM, 1992) *

Memphis Slim John Len Chatman (September 3, 1915 – February 24, 1988), known professionally as Memphis Slim, was an American blues pianist, singer, and composer. He led a series of bands that, reflecting the popular appeal of jump blues, included saxopho ...

, ''Very Much Alive and in Montreux'' (Barclay, 1973) *

Jimmy Scott James Victor Scott (July 17, 1925 – June 12, 2014), known professionally as Little Jimmy Scott or Jimmy Scott, was an American jazz vocalist known for his high natural contralto voice and his sensitivity on ballads and love songs. After ...

, ''If You Only Knew'' (Savoy, 2000) *

Sonny Terry Saunders Terrell (October 24, 1911 – March 11, 1986), known as Sonny Terry, was an American Piedmont blues and folk musician, who was known for his energetic blues harmonica style, which frequently included vocal whoops and hollers and oc ...

Brownie McGhee Walter Brown "Brownie" McGhee (November 30, 1915 – February 16, 1996) was an American folk music and Piedmont blues singer and guitarist, best known for his collaboration with the harmonica player Sonny Terry. Life and career McGhee was ...

, ''Back Country Blues'' (CBS, 1958) *

Sylvie Vartan Sylvie Vartan (; born Sylvie Georges Vartanian; hy, Սիլվի Ժորժ Վարդանյան. on 15 August 1944) is an Armenian-Bulgarian-French singer and actress. She is known as one of the most productive and tough-sounding yé-yé artists. ...

, ''Sylvie Vartan's Story 1962 & 1963'' (RCA Camden, 1969)

References

External links

100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time

* Allmusic biographical notes
Mickey Baker, NY Times
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Mickey 1925 births 2012 deaths African-American guitarists 20th-century American guitarists 21st-century American guitarists American jazz guitarists Mainstream jazz guitarists American rock guitarists American rhythm and blues guitarists American male guitarists Musicians from Louisville, Kentucky American expatriates in France East Coast blues musicians Savoy Records artists Jazz musicians from Kentucky Rock musicians from Kentucky Guitarists from Kentucky 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians Black & Blue Records artists MGM Records artists King Records artists Atlantic Records artists 20th-century African-American musicians 21st-century African-American musicians