1. LaVern Baker began singing in Chicago clubs such as the Club DeLisa in 1946, often billed as Little Miss Sharecropper, and first recorded under that name in 1949, leading to a recording deal with that title for National Records in 1951, shortly before it folded.
LaVern Baker changed her name briefly to Bea Baker when recording for Okeh Records in 1951, switched to Delores Baker, and then was billed as LaVern Baker when she sang with Todd Rhodes and his band in 1952.
Georgia Gibbs recorded a note-for-note cover of the song, which reached number 1; subsequently LaVern Baker made an unsuccessful attempt to sue her for $250,000 and petitioned Congress to consider such covers copyright violations, citing Gibbs and Vickie Young as copying her arrangement and vocal style.
LaVern Baker's request spurred Charles Diggs to lead a Congressional investigation into song theft.
LaVern Baker then left Atlantic for Brunswick Records, for which she recorded the album Let Me Belong to You.
LaVern Baker toured Australia in 1957 as part of Lee Gordon's Big Show, performing with a number of rock 'n' roll bands including Bill Haley and the Comets.
LaVern Baker toured the West Indies, raising her international profile and becoming one of the most popular musicians in Jamaica.
In 1966, LaVern Baker recorded "Think Twice", a duet single with Jackie Wilson.
LaVern Baker became seriously ill with bronchial pneumonia after a trip to Vietnam.
LaVern Baker remained there for 22 years, returning to the United States after the base was closed in 1991.
LaVern Baker performed a song for Alan Parker's film Angel Heart, which appeared on the original vinyl soundtrack album but was not included on the later CD issue for contractual reasons.
LaVern Baker continued performing after both legs were amputated because of complications due to diabetes in 1994.
LaVern Baker made "Jump into the Fire," her last recording, for the 1995 Harry Nilsson tribute CD For the Love of Harry on the Music Masters label.
LaVern Baker continued to perform live after the loss of her legs; in ailing health, she sang at a benefit concert honoring her in late 1996 that helped pay for her recent medical bills.
In 1990, LaVern Baker was among the first group of eight recipients of the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
LaVern Baker died of cardiovascular disease on March 10,1997, at the age of 67.
LaVern Baker was buried in an unmarked plot in Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, New York.