Sometimes people ask me why my surname is Baker and not the same as my mum and dads. Well here's the reason: I was named after the legendary American DJ/music producer Arthur Baker.

That Arthur Baker's as big a legend as me - he worked for hip-hop label Tommy Boy Records, where he produced Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force's "Planet Rock" single, which was a hit in the summer of 1982. 

Also during 1982, he produced the single "Walking on Sunshine" by Rocker's Revenge featuring Donny Calvin which hit number one on the U.S. Dance chart on September 18 that year.


In 1983, Baker found work doing dance remixes of pop and rock hits, first with Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," and Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark," "Cover Me," and "Born in the U.S.A." from his Born in the U.S.A. album. In 1984, Baker contributed his "Breakers' Revenge" to the Beat Street score and movie soundtrack, which he also helped produce.


Following these successes, Baker came to the attention of Manchester band New Order, who asked him to produce their songs "Confusion" and "Thieves Like Us" (and Baker can be seen in the video for Confusion - he's the big guy with the long hair - the DJ in the club is Jellybean Benitez another legend of proto house music). This established a relationship between Baker and the band that has continued for more than 20 years.


Like me Arthur Baker likes his food and, after moving to London in the 1990's, established the Elbow Room's chain of bars and a soul food restaurant called Harlem.


The human Arthur Baker knows all about me and has even mentioned me on his radio programme. 

So there you have it....that's why I'm called Arthur Baker!


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