Two Ton Baker
Recorded May 27th, 1972 - 17 min
Jovial singer, pianist and entertainer who had a long career on both radio and television. A Chicago favorite, he was well-known for his jolly commercials for Riverview amusement park. He was born May 2, 1916 and was celebrating his 56th birthday on the day of our telephone conversation. He died two days after his 59th birthday, May 4, 1975.
Your Tune For The Day - 1940s - First song -
Did you enjoy the interview? Listen to Dick "Two Ton" Baker on his own radio program "Your Tune For The Day".
August 20, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Chuck, Just finished listening to your interview with Dick “Two-Ton” Baker. Very enjoyable to hear him again…I have a few of his 15 minute shows but had never heard an interview with him. What a delight…very sad that he passed away much too early. Keep up the good work; I hope to catch up on a few of the interviews that I have missed. John
August 1, 2013 at 10:24 pm
I was 10 in 1947. Two-Ton Baker was appearing at Norman Ross’s Music Store
in Evanston. I went to hear him and see him. I overheard him saying “When can I get out of here? I want to go home!” I was crushed. Years later I realized
it was understandable. He continues to be a favorite and I enjoyed the interview.
June 1, 2014 at 3:45 pm
I can’t thank you enough for posting this interview. How wonderful it was to hear my dad’s voice. I enjoyed the interview very much and actually remember the day it was conducted. Thanks again!
March 22, 2016 at 9:14 pm
The main memory I have of Two Ton Baker was on the Happy Pirates TV show, which at first was on WBKB Channel 4. After the ABC-Paramount merger and the FCC decision to move Chicago’s Channel 4 to Channel 2 under its new owners, CBS, the Happy Pirates show moved. Most of the “on-air talent” from channel 4 went to Channel 2, by contractual agreement. But it looks like Happy Pirates went directly to Channel 7. I am curious why a substantial (about 4 years) part of his TV career would not be mentioned in this interview. I especially remember him singing the “Soup song” on the air, and I had thought it was something he spontaneously made up for his lunchtime audience.