Baker Knight
Encyclopedia
Baker Knight was an American songwriter
and musician
from Birmingham, Alabama
.
He was born 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 Knight was raised mainly by relatives. He learned to play guitar while serving in the Air Force, and after his discharge entered the University of Alabama
, where he wrote music in his spare time. In 1956 he founded a 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 refused to play it as it served as unpaid 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 in hopes of pursuing a career in acting, but was unsuccessful. He became friends with Eddie Cochran
and Cochran's girlfriend, songwriter Sharon Sheeley
, who had written Poor Little Fool for Ricky Nelson and who helped him find work as a songwriter. Knight wrote "Lonesome Town
", which became a hit for Rick Nelson in 1958, as did the B-side, Knight's "I Got a Feeling". Nelson continued to record Knight's songs, many of which became hits. However, he refused to let Nelson record his tune "Just Relax", which he instead released it himself as a solo single in 1959, with Cochran on guitar, for Coral Records
. Neither this nor the next, "Pretty Little Girl", sold well and Coral dropped his contract.
Knight then wrote "The Wonder of You
" for Perry Como
, but Ray Peterson
recorded it instead at the behest of Como's arranger Dick Pierce
, and the song became a hit in boh the U.S. and U.K. Elvis Presley
later recorded it with even greater success. Knight continued to record solo with RCA
, Chess
, Reprise
, and Challenge
, but never with much luck. He pursued his movie career, but he only appeared on screen once, in the 1966 B-movie Swamp Country. He had a small part as a strolling minstrel and sang several of his own songs.
In 1966, Dean Martin
picked up "Somewhere There's a Someone", one of eleven of Knight's songs he would cover. Frank Sinatra
recorded a handful of Knight tunes, including "Anytime at All". Knight also wrote psychedelic music
for the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band in the late 1960s.
Knight turned to country music
in the 1970s, writing songs for Ernest Ashworth, Hank Williams, Jr.
, Jerry Lee Lewis
, Dave & Sugar
, and Mickey Gilley
, whose #1 hit "Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time" won Knight the Academy of Country Music
's Song of the Year in 1976. Knight's last solo release was "If Only", on Warner Bros.
in 1977.
In 1985, Knight returned to Birmingham, suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome
and agoraphobia
, and his output decreased considerably. In the 1990s he set up his own home studio and self-released several solo albums through his website, including The Way I Hear It, Music Is My Woman, and Music for Romantic Dreamers, the last one all instrumental. Knight published a memoir
entitled A Piece of the Big-Time just before his death.
Thomas Baker Knight Jr. died peacefully at his home in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2005 at the age of 72. He was survived by his daughter, Tuesday Knight, and his son, Thomas Baker Knight III.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
from Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
.
He was born Thomas Baker Knight Jr. in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
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 Knight was raised mainly by relatives. He learned to play guitar while serving in the Air Force, and after his discharge entered the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, where he wrote music in his spare time. In 1956 he founded a rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
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
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, but radio stations refused to play it as it served as unpaid advertising for Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
cars. Decca held on to Knight and had him release three solo records featuring arrangements by Ray Ellis
Ray Ellis
Ray Ellis was an American record producer, arranger and conductor. The orchestration for Billie Holiday's Lady in Satin is probably his best known work in the jazz vein.-Biography:...
: "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 in hopes of pursuing a career in acting, but was unsuccessful. He became friends with Eddie Cochran
Eddie Cochran
Eddie Cochran , was an American rock and roll pioneer who in his brief career had a small but lasting influence on rock music through his guitar playing. Cochran's rockabilly songs, such as "C'mon Everybody", "Somethin' Else", and "Summertime Blues", captured teenage frustration and desire in the...
and Cochran's girlfriend, songwriter Sharon Sheeley
Sharon Sheeley
Sharon Sheeley was an American songwriter, born in California, who wrote songs for Glen Campbell, Ricky Nelson, Brenda Lee, and Sheeley's former fiancé, Eddie Cochran.-Life:...
, who had written Poor Little Fool for Ricky Nelson and who helped him find work as a songwriter. Knight wrote "Lonesome Town
Lonesome Town
Lonesome Town is the name of a song written by Baker Knight. A version sung by Ricky Nelson became a hit single in the United States, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958.The song appears on the soundtrack to the film Pulp Fiction...
", which became a hit for Rick Nelson in 1958, as did the B-side, Knight's "I Got a Feeling". Nelson continued to record Knight's songs, many of which became hits. However, he refused to let Nelson record his tune "Just Relax", which he instead released it himself as a solo single in 1959, with Cochran on guitar, for Coral Records
Coral Records
Coral Records was a Decca Records subsidiary formed in 1949. It recorded pop artists McGuire Sisters and Teresa Brewer, as well as rock and roller Buddy Holly....
. Neither this nor the next, "Pretty Little Girl", sold well and Coral dropped his contract.
Knight then wrote "The Wonder of You
The Wonder of You
"The Wonder of You" is a song written by Baker Knight. In 1959, Ray Peterson released it as a single. The song became a Top 40 hit for him on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #25. That same year it was recorded by Ronnie Hilton in the United Kingdom, his version reaching #22 on the UK Singles...
" for Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
, but Ray Peterson
Ray Peterson
Ray Peterson was an American pop music singer who was best remembered for singing "Tell Laura I Love Her" and "Corrine, Corrina" in the 1960s.-Career:...
recorded it instead at the behest of Como's arranger Dick Pierce
Dick Pierce
Richard "Dick" Pierce was an American football player. He played guard for the Michigan Wolverines football team and later played professional football for the Chicago Tigers in 1920.-References:...
, and the song became a hit in boh the U.S. and U.K. Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
later recorded it with even greater success. Knight continued to record solo with RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
, Chess
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
, Reprise
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
, and Challenge
Challenge Records (1950s)
Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles in 1957 by cowboy singer Gene Autry and former Columbia Records A & R representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958. The label's first success came with...
, but never with much luck. He pursued his movie career, but he only appeared on screen once, in the 1966 B-movie Swamp Country. He had a small part as a strolling minstrel and sang several of his own songs.
In 1966, Dean Martin
Dean Martin
Dean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...
picked up "Somewhere There's a Someone", one of eleven of Knight's songs he would cover. Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
recorded a handful of Knight tunes, including "Anytime at All". Knight also wrote psychedelic music
Psychedelic music
Psychedelic music covers a range of popular music styles and genres, which are inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture and which attempt to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues-rock bands in the...
for the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band in the late 1960s.
Knight turned to country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
in the 1970s, writing songs for Ernest Ashworth, Hank Williams, Jr.
Hank Williams, Jr.
Randall Hank Williams , better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American country singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country...
, Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
, Dave & Sugar
Dave & Sugar
Dave & Sugar was a pop-styled country music trio that enjoyed its peak success in the mid- to late-1970s. It consisted of lead singer Dave Rowland and initially on backing vocalists, Vicki Hackeman and Jackie Frantz...
, and Mickey Gilley
Mickey Gilley
Mickey Leroy Gilley is an American country music singer and musician. Although he started out singing straight-up country and western material in the 1970s, he moved towards a more pop-friendly sound in the 1980s, bringing him further success on not just the country charts, but the pop charts as...
, whose #1 hit "Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time" won Knight the Academy of Country Music
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
's Song of the Year in 1976. Knight's last solo release was "If Only", on Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
in 1977.
In 1985, Knight returned to Birmingham, suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially...
and agoraphobia
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder defined as a morbid fear of having a panic attack or panic-like symptoms in a situation from which it is perceived to be difficult to escape. These situations can include, but are not limited to, wide-open spaces, crowds, or uncontrolled social conditions...
, and his output decreased considerably. In the 1990s he set up his own home studio and self-released several solo albums through his website, including The Way I Hear It, Music Is My Woman, and Music for Romantic Dreamers, the last one all instrumental. Knight published a memoir
Memoir
A memoir , is a literary genre, forming a subclass of autobiography – although the terms 'memoir' and 'autobiography' are almost interchangeable. Memoir is autobiographical writing, but not all autobiographical writing follows the criteria for memoir set out below...
entitled A Piece of the Big-Time just before his death.
Thomas Baker Knight Jr. died peacefully at his home in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2005 at the age of 72. He was survived by his daughter, Tuesday Knight, and his son, Thomas Baker Knight III.
Singles
| Year | Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | "Bob Boogie To The Blues" / "Little Heart" | Kit Records |
| "Bring My Cadillac Back" / "I Cried" | Kit Records | |
| "Bring My Cadillac Back" / "I Cried" | Decca Decca Records Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades.... |
|
| 1957 | "Reelin’ and Rockin’" / "When The World Gets Around" | Decca |
| "Just A Little Bit More" / "The Value Of Love" | Decca | |
| "Love-A-Love-A-Love-A" / "High School Days" | Decca | |
| 1958 | "Ain't Nothin' But Love" / "My Heart Cries for You My Heart Cries for You "My Heart Cries for You" is a popular song, adapted by Carl Sigman and Percy Faith from an 18th century French melody.The music is from an old French song attributed to Marie Antoinette " La jardinière du Roi"... " |
Jubilee Jubilee Records Jubilee Records was a record label specializing in rhythm and blues along with novelty records. It was founded in New York City in 1946 by Herb Abramson. Jerry Blaine became Abramson's partner. Blaine bought out Abramson's half of the company in 1947. The company name was Jay-Gee Recording... |
| "I Never Get To Kiss You Anymore" / "Wishing" | Jubilee Jubilee Records Jubilee Records was a record label specializing in rhythm and blues along with novelty records. It was founded in New York City in 1946 by Herb Abramson. Jerry Blaine became Abramson's partner. Blaine bought out Abramson's half of the company in 1947. The company name was Jay-Gee Recording... |
|
| 1959 | "Just Relax" / "Takin’ A Chance" | Coral Coral Corals are marine animals in class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton.A coral "head" is a colony of... |
| "Pretty Little Girl" / "Tag Along Blues" | Coral Coral Corals are marine animals in class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton.A coral "head" is a colony of... |
|
| 1960 | "I Can Tell" / "The Beginning Of The End" | RCA RCA Records RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label... |
| 1961 | "Dum Dum Diggley Dum" / "Any Time At All" | RCA RCA Records RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label... |
| "Peek-A-Boo" / "Theme From The Devil’s Island" | Chess Chess Records Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases.... |
|
| 1962 | "Whose Little Baby Are You?" / "Bring It On Home To Me" | Kit Records |
| "Hungry For Love" / "House Next Door" | Checker Checker Records Checker Records is an inactive record label that was started in 1952 as a subsidiary to Chess Records in Chicago, Illinois. The label was founded by the Chess brothers, Leonard and Phil, who ran the label until they sold it to General Recorded Tape in 1969, shortly before Leonard's death.The label... |
|
| 1963 | "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me" / "My Memories Of You" | Challenge Challenge Records (1950s) Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles in 1957 by cowboy singer Gene Autry and former Columbia Records A & R representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958. The label's first success came with... |
| "Big City Girls" / "Look In The Mirror" | Everest Everest Records Everest Records was a stereophonic record label based in Bayside, Long Island started by Harry D. Belock and Bert Whyte in May 1958. It was devoted mainly to classical music.-History:... |
|
| 1964 | "Surrender To Me" / "When Somebody Mentions Your Name" | Challenge Challenge Records (1950s) Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles in 1957 by cowboy singer Gene Autry and former Columbia Records A & R representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958. The label's first success came with... |
| "Apple Daddy" / "Good Evening Mr. Heartache" | Challenge Challenge Records (1950s) Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles in 1957 by cowboy singer Gene Autry and former Columbia Records A & R representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958. The label's first success came with... |
|
| 1965 | "Girl Like That" / "Hello Mama" | Challenge Challenge Records (1950s) Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles in 1957 by cowboy singer Gene Autry and former Columbia Records A & R representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958. The label's first success came with... |
| "I’m The Wolf Man" / "Sit and Dance" (als "Round Robin") | Domain Records | |
| 1966 | "Man With A Plan" / "I Woke Up On The Wrong Side Of The World" | Reprise Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... |
| "It Goes Deeper Than That" / "From A Distance" | Reprise Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... |
|
| "Would You Believe It" / "Tomorrows Good Time Girl" | Reprise Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... |
|
| "Would You Believe It" / "Tomorrows Good Time Girl" (UK-Veröffentlichung) | Reprise Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... |
|
| "I Want What You Got" / "Sorry ‘Bout That" | Reprise Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... |
|
| 1967 | "I Feel Sick About The Whole Thing" / "Hallucinatuions" | Reprise Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... |
| "Things Are Looking Good" / "Stick-To-It-Ivity" | Reprise Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... |
|
| 1968 | "Verge Of Success" / "Are You Satisfied Now?" | Reprise Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... |
| 1970 | "Lady Hamilton" / "Man Who Never Made It" | Happy Tiger Happy Tiger Records Happy Tiger Records was an independent American record label that was owned by the Flying Tiger Line air freight company. Happy Tiger only operated from 1969 to 1971, but during this time managed to produce more than two dozen albums by such notable artists as Count Basie, Mason Proffit, Red... |
| 1975 | "A Legend On The Stage" / "A Legend On The Stage" | unknown |
| 1977 | "If Only" / "Physical Thing" | Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... |