Anita Baker Books Homecoming Concert, First Detroit Show In 27 Years

DETROIT — Detroit native Anita Baker will play her hometown with a show this summer.

The 8-time Grammy Award winner will perform at the Little Caesars Arena on Friday, July 22. It will be Baker's first Detroit show in more than 27 years, since she played at the Fox Theatre on July 21, 1995. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 3 at 10 a.m.

The R&B star seemingly contemplated retirement in 2018, especially since she named that year’s tour her "Farewell Concert Series," which didn't include a Michigan date. However, Baker is currently playing in Las Vegas, where her eight-night run at the Venetian in Las Vegas sold fast and will end Saturday.

The 64-year-old soulful diva performed signature tracks such as "Sweet Love" and "Giving You the Best That I Got" as well as other top hits from her albums between 1983's "The Songstress" and 1994's "Rhythm of Love."

Baker was born in Ohio, but raised in Detroit. She began her career as a member of the funk band Chapter 8 in the late 1970s. She then launched her solo career in 1983 with her first album, The Songstress. But it was her second album, 1986's Rapture, that rose her to stardom by featuring the single "Sweet Love."

The last time Baker performed in Michigan was at Pine Knob, then-DTE Energy Music Theatre in August 2010.