The Anita Baker House is in Danger of Being Demolished
Despite a court order stopping demolition, the brick building that houses Anita Baker’s house is in danger. This historic building was constructed on land given by a French king in the early 1700s, by the Chene family. It is one of the last vestiges of Detroit’s colonial French heritage. The building was closed in 1989 as Little Harry’s Restaurant. However, Anita Baker and her husband purchased it for $575,000.
After four years away from the spotlight, Anita Baker has returned to the stage with a new album, Rhythm of Love. The album garnered mixed reviews, but Baker’s fame hasn’t diminished. In 1996, she filed a lawsuit against Elektra’s management and legal staff, gaining the right to move to the Atlantic record label. The suit was successful and in 1997, she made her return to the limelight.
Rapture was Baker’s second studio album, released in March 1986. The album was not well-received after the minor hit “Watch Your Step”. The album’s success was quickly rewarded by the release of the upbeat ballad “Sweet Love”. The song reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Top 20. The album launched three more chart-topping singles, including “Still Crazy,” which topped the charts in the UK and reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100.
Baker was born in Toledo Ohio and grew to be a Detroiter in the inner city. Her mother, a substance-addict and mother, abandoned Baker when she was just two years old. She was raised by her friend, Mary Lewis, but the pair lost contact after Mary died. At thirteen, Anita made a conscious decision to meet her birth mother, a former alcoholic. The relationship was ended when her birth mother died.
Anita Baker, a single mother, has moved to Santa Monica, California in recent years. She is now retired and her sons visit her often. She cooks for them, and also takes care of their laundry. Anita also enjoys traveling and taking photos. However, she does not drive anymore. She rides Uber or boys to pick up her. In the future, she would like to get married again.
Baker’s voice was a big part of the album’s success. Her voice was deep and rich, and her soulful delivery is reminiscent to gospel. By the time her album had been released, it had sold over five million copies and won two Grammy awards. Her husband died in 2008 and she was left to raise her boys. Walter Bridgforth was her husband. The two of them were married on Christmas Eve 1988.
In May 1983, she released her first solo album, The Songstress. This album had four singles, including “Angel,” which peaked at number five on the R&B charts. The next single she released was “You’re probably the best thing that ever happened,” which reached number 1 on the R&B charts. It sold more than 300,000. Although the album was a hit, Baker’s career was far from over.
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