George Baker Biography
George Baker (real name; Johannes Bouwens) is a Dutch singer – songwriter, guitarist and keyboard player born on 8th December 1944 in Hoorn, Netherlands. He is a former lead band member of George Baker Selection. The band’s single “Little Green Bag” was used as the opening soundtrack for the movie ‘Reservoir Dogs’.
George Baker Age
George was born on 8th December 1944 in Hoorn, Netherlands (74 years as of 2018)
George Baker Family
George was born to a Dutch mother and Italian father who was a soldier and ended up in the Netherlands during World War II as a prisoner of war. His father was killed while attempting to escape, before Bouwens was born.
George Baker Wife/ George Baker Singer Wife
George is married to Blanche and they live near the Dutch town of Gouda. He has 7 children from two marriages.
George Baker
George Baker Selection
In 1967 Bouwens joined band Soul Invention, a soul band that played covers of songs by Otis Redding and Sam and Dave. They changed their name to “The George Baker Selection”. The band consisted of Jan Hop, Jacobus Greuter, George Thé, and Jan Visser.
In 1970 they released their debut album Little Green Bag. Their debut single “Little Green Bag,” reached No. 16 on the Cash Box magazine chart and No. 21 on the Billboard Top 100 in the United States. The single sold over one million copies globally, and received a gold disc.
Their second single, “Dear Ann,” was such a success. At the time Baker worked at a lemonade factory but due to the sucess of their singles he resigned and became a full time musician. Hev also wrote songs for other musicians including BZN, The Shoes, Andy Star, and Next One.
Baker disbanded the band in 1978 due to the pressure, according to Baker “the pressure had become too much.” In 1985 Baker formed a new George Baker Selection which was active until 1989.They released twelve albums and several compilation albums.
George Baker Solo Career
In 1978 Baker, after disbanding the Selection, performed as a solo artist until 1985 when he formed a second batch of Selection. In 1989 he returned as a solo artist. In 2005, he released a remix of the song “Paloma Blanca” for the film Too Fat Too Furious. He has released nine albums as a solo artist.
George Baker Selection Paloma Blanca
Paloma Blanca was the band’s fifth album and was released in 1975. The single with the same name reached No. 1 on charts in several countries and sold more than seven million copies worldwide, making it one of the most successful Dutch singles ever.
George Baker Selection Members
- Johannes Bouwens (as George Baker) (composer, vocals, guitar, mandolin, flute, piano and organ) 1967–1977, 1982–1989.
- Elly Bloothoofd (vocals, guitar) 1982–1989.
- Lida Jonkman-Bont (vocals) 1974–1977.
- Nelleke Brzoskowsky (vocals) 1982–1989.
- Willy Delano (vocals) 1977, 1982–1989.
- Pieter Goeman (organ and piano) 1982–1989.
- Jacques Greuter (vocals, organ, flute and piano) 1967–1982.
- Jan Hop (drums) 1969–77, 1983–1989.
- Henk Kramer (saxophone) 1967–1970.
- Nathalie Más (vocals) between 1977 and 1982.
- Job Netten (guitar) 1967–1970.
- Martin Schoen (bass) between 1974 and 1982.
- George Thé (vocals, guitar and bass) 1969–77, 1983–1989.
Cor Veerman (as Alan Decker) (bass) 1971–1974. - Theo Vermast (bassoon) 1967–1968.
- Jan Visser (bass) 1968–1971.
- Ton Vredenburg (drums) 1967–1970.
George Baker Selections Albums
- 1970: Little Green Bag
- 1970: Love in the World
- 1972: Now
- 1974: Hot Baker
- 1975: Paloma Blanca
- 1975: A Song for You
- 1976: River Song
- 1976: So Lang die Sonne Schneit
- 1977: Summer Melody
- 1983: Paradise Island
- 1985: Santa Lucia By Night
- 1987: Viva America
- 1988: From Russia with Love
George Baker Solo Albums
- 1978: In Your Heart
- 1978: Another Lonely Christmas Night
- 1979: Sing for the Day
- 1980: Wild Flower
- 1981: The Winds of Time
- 1989: Dreamboat
- 1991: Love in Your Heart
- 1993: Memories
- 2000: Flashback
- 2009: Lonely Boy
George Baker Selection Songs
- Little Green Bag
- Dear Ann
- I Wanna Love You
- Marie-Jeanne
- Baby Blue
- Cante Libre
- Sing a Song of Love
- Paloma Blanca
- Rose Marie
- Morning Star
- Rosita
George Baker Selection Greatest Hits
- Little Green Bag
- Dear Ann
- Midnight
- Over And Over
- Nathalie
- Tonight
- Mama Oh Mama
- Holy Day
- I’m On My Way
- Marie-Jeanne
- Drink Drink Drink
- Baby Blue
- (Fly Away) Little Paraquayo
- Sing A Song Of Love
- Paloma Blanca
- Morning Sky
- Wild Bird
- Manana (Mi Amor)
- Beautiful Rose
- Rosita
- Sing For The Day