George Baker Selection Mini Biography

George Baker (born Johannes Bouwens, December 8, 1944, Hoorn, Netherlands) is a Dutch singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the pop musical ensemble, George Baker Selection. He is now a solo artist.

The George Baker Selection was an eclectic Dutch pop-rock band from the Netherlands that was fronted by the extremely talented and versatile singer, composer, guitarist, keyboard player and songwriter George Baker. The band was first formed as Soul Invention in 1967. They subsequently changed their name to the George Baker Selection in 1969. In 1970 the group scored a substantial smash hit with the insanely groovy and quirky psychedelic rock pip "Little Green Bag," which reached #21 on the US Billboard pop charts and was recorded by the band with their own money. ("Little Green Bag" was featured on the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs," plus has been used on episodes of the TV shows "Red Dwarf" and "Freaks and Geeks.") Alas, the lovely country ballad "Dear Ann" stalled at #93 on the US Billboard charts. However, the George Baker Selection enjoyed a steady succession of Dutch radio hits that include such terrific songs as "Morning Sky," "Wild Bird," "Manana," "Holy Day," and "I'm on My Way." In 1975 the band achieved their single greatest success with the bubbly, catchy and upbeat "Una Paloma Blanca;" the infectiously frothy and cheerful tune was a #1 hit in many countries, reached #26 on the US Billboard charts, and sold over three million copies worldwide. The group sold over twenty million records in their 70's heyday. Unfortunately, the George Baker Selection broke up in 1978 because the pressure of being in the spotlight was too much to easily bear. Baker revived the group in 1985; this new incarnation of the band lasted until 1989. George Baker has since gone on to have a hugely successful solo career.

Discography

George Baker Selection albums:
Little Green Bag (1969)
Love in the World (1970)
Now (1972)
Hot Baker (1974)
Paloma Blanca (1975)
A Song for you (1975)
River Song (1976)
So Lang die Sonne scheint (1976)
Summer Melody (1977)
Paradise Island (1983)
Santa Lucia by Night (1985)
Viva America (1987)
From Russia with Love (1988)

Solo albums:
In your heart (1978)
Another lonely Christmas night (1978)
Sing for the day (1979)
Wild Flower (1980)
The Winds of time (1981)
Dreamboat (1989)
Love in your heart (1991)
Memories (1993)
Flashback (2000)