There’s nothing small about the woman who was first introduced to the world as “Little Helen.” Big voice. Big heart. Big vision. These are but some words that conjure up the essence of Dr. Helen Baylor. The four-time GRAMMY¨ nominated, four-time Stellar Award winning, two-time Dove Award winning, and Soul Train Lady of Soul Award winning artist is undoubtedly one of the biggest voices in Gospel music. Singer, songwriter, author, actress, minister, philanthropist and honorary doctor, Helen’s deep well of life experience has been poured into a body of work that indeed makes a legacy. But where did the legacy begin? It was at the tender age of thirteen that Little Helen took the R&B world by storm with her ever-popular singles, “The Richest Girl in the World” and “What About Me, Boy?” However, Helen wasn’t just one of the many doo-whop wonders of the 60’s. Despite her young age, she could phrase a song with such maturity. She sang like a woman twice her age and she stood out. By her early teens, she was the opening act for big-name artists such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and B.B. King. At 17, she took off for adventure with the touring company of the rock musical “Hair.”
This would mark the beginning of a life played out on the international stage as Helen’s powerful voice carried her around the world, singing back up for Captain & Tennille and Rufus and Chaka Khan. She later recorded with the Los Angeles based group, Side Effect, and received critical acclaim for her lead vocals on “Always There” and “S.O.S.”
Singing engagements, studio sessions, travel, industry parties— Helen’s was a glamorous life. Yet, for all of the success and glamour, she found herself descending into a dark tunnel of drug addiction and relationship abuse. Following a ten-year battle with substance abuse, Helen found the Lord and a church home. Still, she didn’t sing or perform for four years until God released her from her “backside of the desert experience.” Of this time, Helen proclaims, “I had a prayin’ grandmother.” From much prayer, she emerged from the dark tunnel dedicated to glorifying God through Gospel music.
In 1989, Helen recorded her first Gospel album the legendary, Highly Recommended, which stayed in print for 20 years and produced the chart-topping songs “Can You Reach My Friend,” “No Greater Love,” and “Highly Recommended.” This was followed by the critically acclaimed Look A Little Closer with the singles “Look a Little Closer,” “Victory,” and “Oasis,” a song that spent a year on the UK dance charts. Next, was the chart-topping The Live Experience, which became her most successful album. Recorded in 1994 before more than 7,000 fans at Crenshaw Christian Center, in Los Angeles, CA, The Live Experience remained on the Billboard Charts for over a year, with 27 weeks at #1. A DVD of the concert was also produced.