"King" Ernest Baker (May 30, 1939 – March 5, 2000) was an American blues and soul singer. He recorded "I Feel Alright" and "That's When I Woke Up." Baker was born in Natchez, Mississippi, and died in a car crash in 2000, just after finishing recording an album.

Background Coming from a large family, he was the third born of 11 children. Ernest was born in Natchez, Mississippi on May 30, 1939. His great-grandfather was an Italian violinist from Milan who lived to be 109. According to Baker, all of his Southern State children (referred to as half-Mulatto in those times) were violinists and guitar players.Weekly Wire, August 24, 1998 – King Ernest by Ron Bally His grandfather was part of a Baker Band Revue, which played around and in Louisiana and Mississippi. His father was a guitarist who would play at the Honky-tonk places in the south. He recalled sitting on his fathers knee at around seven years old and listening to his father signing and playing his slide guitar. He would also hold out a cup for the listeners to put money in to.

Blues singer Bobby Bland is a cousin of King Ernest.MTV News, 03/24/2000 – Bluesman King Ernest Killed In Van Wreck After Show archive-Mark-HedinLos Angeles Times, June 27, 1996 – King Ernest Offers Blues Refill – Bill Lockey

Career His first professional outing was in 1958 with Byther Smith at Wynn's Lounge in Chicago, Illinois. Baker credited Smith with giving him his start as a professional.Blues Access The Second Time Around

He became a popular Chicago club attraction, and performed variously with Tyrone Davis, Buddy Guy and Howlin' Wolf.Orlando Sentinel, September 8, 2000 – A Royal Marriage Of Blues, Soul From Gutsy `King' Ernest Baker by Parry Gettelman Being a tall man standing at 6 ft 3in, his shows were quite exuberant and gained him a reputation in Chicago and New York. And with his dancing, comparisons were made to James Brown and Jackie Wilson.PopMatters – King Ernest, Blues Got Soul By Barbara Flaska The labels he recorded for were, Barry in New York and in Chicago, Sonic, Funk, Mercury and Blue Soul.

Having come back to Chicago from New York he was working with his band he got together. The outfit was called King Ernest and the Soul Invaders. It consisted of a rhythm section, three piece horn section and a bongo player. He also travelled with comedian Emmanuel Arrington. In Chicago he did not do any recording, and from 1967 to 1970 he played the clubs. Throughout the 1970s, he played venues including the Skyway Lounge High Chaparral, and Ernie's Lounge. With his band he also toured around Louisiana and Mississippi a couple of times.

In 1980 he was lured to Los Angeles by the prospect of a record deal. The deal never came to fruition, which was a deciding factor in him leaving the business.Elvis Pelvis – Ernest Baker, King Ernest March 4, 2000 Age 60 Due to the disappointments in his career he got a job with the Sheriffs department. He stayed there for 14 years as a supervisor until retiring at 55.

Return to show business Both Bakers cousin plus a promoter / producer Randy Chortkoff were responsible for his return to the stage.AllMusic – King Ernest, Artist Biography by Richard Skelly Via the classified ads in local papers, Baker recruited his band. With their mix of R&B, funk, gospel and blues, they began playing in clubs in Los Angeles black areas. Baker was hired by Randy Chortkoff as the featured singer in his blues revue, backed by some of Los Angeles' best blues musicians. He started booking King Ernest & the Wild Knights at venues up and down the West Coast.

In 1996 Baker backed by John Marx & the Blues Patrol were set to appear at the Ojai Cupful, which was a downsized version of the popular October Bowlful event. This event was promoted by Michael Kauffer.Los Angeles Times, June 27, 1996 – King Ernest Offers Blues Refill – Bill Lockey

Later Baker got a recording contract and his first CD album King of Hearts was released in January 1997 on the Evidence label. One of the musicians that played on it was East Hampton Guitarist Zac Zunis.

In May 1999 Baker undetook a short tour of shows in Israel – eight shows in Tel Aviv and in Eilat, backed by local band "The Daily Blues" (led by harmonica player Dov Hammer).

In 2000, Baker had just finished recording his second album, Blues Got Soul which would end up being his last recording.All About Jazz, October 1, 2000 – King Ernest: Blues Got Soul By Edd Kopp He had a listen to the CD on March 2.The Inland Empire Blues Society, Reviewed January, 2001 – King ernest – Blues Got Soul – Review, Quotes by: Gary Chiachi, Long Beach Blues Festival Producer

Accident and death A few days after listening to his new album, and while on his way back to Los Angeles he was killed in a car crash, near to Santa Maria, California on Highway 101. Baker and his band had done a show at Mothers Tavern, in San Luis Obispo, California. The van containing Baker apparently left the road, rolled over and hit a tree. Baker who was apparently sleeping in the back of the van was killed when he was thrown from it.

Discography + Singles Act Title Release info Year Notes King Ernest "I Feel Alright" / "Hold It Baby" Barry 1005 196645Cat – King Ernest – Discography Candy Man and the Candy Barsfeaturing King Ernest & Yvonne "Voodoo Man" / "Be My Guy" Roulette 4707 1966Discogs – Candy Man and the Candy Bars Discography King Ernest & Yvonne Joneswith Candy Man and the Candy Bars "Strangers In The Night" / "Harlem Moods" R Records 45–1513 Side 2 credited to Candy Man and the Candy BarsRoots Vinyl Guide – King Ernest & Yvonne Jones/Candy Man & The Candybars" R Records 7" Promo SingleCollectors Frenzy – NORTHERN SOUL 45 King Ernest & Yvonne Jones-Strangers In The Night-R M- HEAR King Earnest "The Soul Stroke (Can You Handle It)" / "The Soul Stroke" Sonic RC-1000-1 1970Discogs – King Ernest Discography, Singles & EPs King Ernest Baker "Somebody Somewhere (Is Playing With Yours)" / (Instr) Funk Records 197145Cat – King Ernest Baker – Discography King Ernest Baker "I Can't Turn You A Loose" / "That's When I Woke Up" Supreme Records Popsike – King Ernest Baker I Can't Turn You Aloose Supreme 70's soul / funk 45 HEAR Ernest Baker "Alone Again" / "Do It With The Feeling (Pt.1)" Blue Soul 1010 1975Discogs – Ernest Baker Discography Singles & EPsFunk-o-logy.com – Ernest Baker – Alone Again / Do It With Feeling Earnest King "I Can't Turn It A Loose" / "You Gonna Miss Me" "LK" Records LK7 1976 Ernest Baker "Alone Again" / "Do It With The Feeling" Grapevine 2000 G2K 45–110 200145Cat – Ernest Baker – Discography King Ernest "Must Have Lost My Mind (Radio Edit)""Must Have Lost My Mind (Extended Version)" / "Rock Me In Your Arms" Grapevine GSX 5004 2002 12" 33RPM

+ Albums Act Title Release info Year F Notes Ernest Baker Do It with the Feeling LP King Ernest King of Hearts Evidence 26084–2 1997 CDJazz Times, 05/01/1997 – King Ernest Baker King of Hearts By Bill Milkowski King Ernest Blues Got Soul Fat Possum Records 80334–2 2001 CD

References

External links The Dead Musician Directory – Ernest Baker Weekly Wire, August 24, 1998: King Ernest By Ron Bally Blues Access: The Second Time Around, An Interview with "King Ernest" Baker Story by Scott Dirks AllMusic: King Ernest: Artist Biography by Richard Skelly