Bonnie Baker

Born April 1, 1917, Orange, Texas, USA – died August 11, 1990, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Diminutive big band singer best remembered as vocalist on the 1939 [a1350072] hit "Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!" Following a recommendation by Louis Armstrong, Bonnie Baker joined [a1350072]'s orchestra in 1936. Tucker promptly nicknamed her "'Wee Bonnie Baker" on account of her short 4'11" stature. In 1940, when "Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!" reached no. 2 in the charts, she was voted Most Popular Female Band Vocalist in a college poll. Other popular songs she recorded were "You'd Be Surprised", "Billy", "Would Ja Mind", and "Especially For You". After Tucker's orchestra disbanded in 1942, Baker embarked on a solo career, singing with the USO (United Service Organizations) during World War II and appearing regularly on the radio show Your Hit Parade. She also sang with other bands, and married jazz guitarist Bill Gailey. In 1948, Baker recorded the novelty song "That's All Folks!" with the Mel Blanc-voiced character Porky Pig from the [a129337] cartoons. Baker gave up performing after suffering a heart attack in 1965. In 1976, she was a switchboard operator at a Ft. Lauderdale medical center.