Baker was a legend. RIP.
Posted on 10/06/2019 4:50:11 AM PDT by Drew68
Ginger Baker, the prodigiously talented and volcanically temperamental rock drummer who helped form Cream, rock-and-roll’s first supergroup, and inspired awe and imitation in a generation of drummers, died on Oct. 6. He was 80.
The Associated Press reported Baker’s family saying on Twitter that he died Sunday: “We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully in hospital this morning.”
Gary Hibbert, a media representative for Baker’s family, confirmed his death, the AP said.
Cream, a trio that included guitarist-singer Eric Clapton and bassist-singer Jack Bruce, set a powerful standard for “supergroups,” bands composed of independent star musicians. During its 2 1 /2-year run, Cream sold millions of records and released a run of bluesy, jazzy and psychedelic hits including “White Room,” “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Tales of Brave Ulysses” in addition to rock-driven versions of blues standards such as “Crossroads” and “Spoonful.”
Clapton’s guitar work was virtuosic, Bruce provided a propulsive bass line, and Mr. Baker was widely acknowledged as rock drumming’s first colossus, as mesmerizing a showman as any preening lead singer or flamboyant guitarist.
Often behind a parapet of drums, Mr. Baker’s Mephistophelean stage presence, combined with his remarkably tasteful drumming, elevated the rock drummer from faceless metronome to percussive demigod. His penchant for rhythmic innovation reached an apogee when he authored what many deem rock’s first epic drum solo, in Cream’s 1966 instrumental “Toad.” It was an explosion of polyrhythmic lightning, with sustained fury, lightness and clarity.
“His playing was revolutionary — extrovert, primal and inventive,” Rush drummer Neil Peart once told the London Independent. “He set the bar for what rock drumming could be..."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Baker was a legend. RIP.
I’ll listen to my favorite Cream album today in Ginger’s honor — Cream Live Vol. II.
Saw him live just once, at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica with legendary jazz bassist Charlie Haden in the early ‘90s. Mind-blowing show.
As we worship at the feet of ‘stars’ ...
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? - Mark 8:36
Yeah, let’s worship Jim and Tammy Faye instead . . .
Give it a rest.
Why the #### would a thumper even address this thread?
Great drummer.
I’m not nearly as much in the mood to save my soul today as I am to listen to some Cream.
I didn’t think he;d survive his latest hospitalization. I hate being right sometimes.
Thanks for many years of wonderful music.
Admiring and enjoying someone’s musical talent isn’t idol worship.
Thumper feels threatened by a real drummer.
Funny, I was on a Cream kick just a couple of days ago. Dug up this gem. Clapton's playing is brilliant. He was 21 years old at the time and the twin towers of 100 watt Marshall Plexis he was using at the time were thunderous.
Cream - "Meet Me In The Bottom" Live at Klooks Kleek, London November 15th 1966
Saw him with Cream at the Philadelphia Spectrum fall of 68
Great performance
Much of Cream is on my play list thumb drives. I hear him with Cream and Blind Faith most days while driving
I'll always remember him for his tasteful, almost understated, drumming - almost making it look lazy...but always a driving beat.
Yup! I guess I gotta break out the Live at Royal Albert dvd. Eric the only one left. Yikes! That means I’m getting old. When did that happen? But, like Eric, I’m still playing out. But, just at jam sessions.
Ginger Baker: In The Moment & Drum Solo (Bill Frisell - Charlie Haden)
That was outstanding. Clapton’s tone was far superior back then when he used Gibsons, imo.
I was a little disappointed with the reunion tour when they didn't roll out the Marshall stacks. Apparently Clapton and Bruce considered it, even had them set up at rehearsals, but found they just couldn't get along with them at their old age. Clapton can be lazy at times. He didn't even bother using a wah pedal for the "White Room" solo.
Awe inspiring, thanks for posting. RIP Ginger Baker.
My favorite top 5 drummers, in no particular order.
Billy Cobham
Ginger Baker
Virgil Donati (Italian-Australian btw lol)
Tony Williams
Steve Gadd
RIP, Mr. Baker.
Never got to see the Cream but did see Jack Bruce in Germany in 71. Yes super group they were. I always heard they broke up because Ginger wasn’t going to live much longer,HA!
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