Baker Knight

about

Baker Knight was a musician and prolific songwriter of the rock n roll era. His songs were recorded by, amongst others, Ricky Nelson, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Mickey Gilley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Perry Como, Sammy Davis Jr and Paul McCartney, . He was born 4th July 1933, Thomas Baker Knight Jr., in Birmingham, Alabama, to Thomas Baker Knight Sr. and his wife Mary (Obear) Knight. His father died in 1939 at the age of 32 and, because of his mother's poor health, he was raised mainly by relatives. He learned guitar whilst serving in the USAF and after discharge entered the University of Alabama, where he wrote music in his spare time. In 1956 he founded the rockabilly group, Baker Knight and the Knightmares. Their debut single, "Bop Boogie to the Blues", was released on Kit Records that year. The next release, "Bring My Cadillac Back", was a local hit and was picked up for national distribution by Decca Records, but radio stations were reluctant to play it was considered free advertising for Cadillac cars. Decca held on to Knight and had him release three solo records featuring arrangements by Ray Ellis: "Reelin' and Rockin' (Bippin' and Boppin' Over You)", "Just a Little Bit More", and "Love-A, Love-A, Love-A". None sold well, and Decca dropped his contract soon afterwards. Knight moved to Hollywood in 1958, hoping to pursue a career in acting, but was unsuccessful. He became friends with Eddie Cochran and Cochran's girlfriend, songwriter Sharon Sheeley, who

top songs

albums

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Rockabilly - The Greatest '50s Collection!

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The Oxford American Southern Music CD No. 12

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Hallucinations: Psychedelic Pop Nuggets from the WEA Vaults

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Singer and Songwriter

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The Very Best Of

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Hello Mama

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This Is DJ's Choice vol. 2

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Classic Rockabilly

The Baker Knight Story

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Nashville Rockabilly 1957-1987

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Cadillac Rockabilly

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1960s Rock & Roll from the Nashville Indies

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