Anita Baker wants to get caught up in the rapture one more time.
The Grammy Award-winning singer, who spent her career heyday living in Detroit, announced via Twitter on New Year’s Day that she’s coming out of retirement for what she calls a “farewell concert series, beginning in March.” Baker promises that “We’ll paint pictures together 2 last a lifetime...’Let’s Party!’ #OneLastTime.”
Last year Baker tweeted a retirement message saying that, “Lotta rumors out there. No Tour. No CD. #Retired #BeachBum #ThankUJesus.” Baker has given no reason for her changing her mind, nor has she announced tour dates yet, though it’s known that she’ll be part of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in the spring.
Baker, who turns 60 on Jan. 26, was born in Toledo and moved Detroit when she was young to be raised by a foster family. She started with the band Chapter 7 but went solo in 1982, breaking through with 1986’s multi-platinum “Rapture.” Baker has released seven studio albums, five of which went platinum. Her last release was “Christmas Fantasy” during 2005.
She’s won eight Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards and seven Soul Train Awards.