Ginger Baker

Ginger Baker was a British drummer and percussionist who was known for his flamboyant playing style that incorporated intricate polyrhythms influenced by jazz, rock, and African music. He was widely considered rock's first superstar drummer, serving as the drummer for the seminal British rock bands Cream, Blind Faith, and Ginger Baker's Air Force. He was born Peter Edward Baker on August 19, 1939, in Lewisham, South London, to a naval intelligence officer father and a teacher mother. He was nicknamed "Ginger" for his red hair. He developed a passion for drumming at an early age and joined his first band, the Martians, when he was 16. He dropped out of school and worked as a bricklayer and a bicycle racer before pursuing a career in music. He played with various jazz and blues bands in London, such as Blues Incorporated, the Graham Bond Organisation, and the Alexis Korner Blues Band. He met bassist Jack Bruce and guitarist Eric Clapton and formed Cream in 1966. The band was one of the first supergroups and one of the most influential rock bands of all time. They fused blues and psychedelia to create a powerful and innovative sound that inspired many later musicians. They sold more than 35 million albums and had many hit songs, such as "Sunshine of Your Love", "White Room", "Crossroads", and "Badge". They also performed long improvisations on stage that showcased their virtuosity and chemistry. Baker was known for his use of two bass drums, his distinctive cymbal work, and his expressive solos, especially on the song "Toad". He also played various percussion instruments, such as cowbells, timpani, gongs, and African drums. He won the Melody Maker readers' poll for best drummer in 1966, 1967, and 1968 . Cream disbanded in 1968 due to personal conflicts between Baker and Bruce and the pressure of fame. Baker then formed Blind Faith with Clapton, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech. The band was short-lived but released one successful album that included the hit "Can't Find My Way Home". Baker then formed his own band, Ginger Baker's Air Force, which featured a large ensemble of musicians playing a fusion of rock, jazz, and African music. The band released two albums and toured extensively in Europe and North America. In the early 1970s, Baker moved to Nigeria and opened a recording studio in Lagos. He became fascinated by African music and culture and collaborated with Nigerian musician Fela Kuti on several albums. He also recorded solo albums that explored jazz-rock fusion and world music genres. He returned to England in 1976 after losing his studio and money due to political unrest in Nigeria . In the late 1970s and 1980s, Baker played with various rock bands such as Hawkwind, Atomic Rooster, Masters of Reality, Public Image Ltd., and BBM (a power trio with Bruce and Gary Moore). He also continued to play jazz with artists such as Bill Laswell, Charlie Haden, Bill Frisell, Sonny Sharrock, and Ginger Baker's Trio. He moved to Italy, then to Los Angeles, and then to Colorado, where he ran a polo ranch. He struggled with drug addiction, financial problems, and health issues for many years. He was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and degenerative osteoarthritis that affected his mobility and eyesight . In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Cream. He reunited with Bruce and Clapton for a series of concerts in London and New York in 2005. He also performed at the Zildjian Drummers Achievement Awards in 2008, where he received a standing ovation. In 2012, he released a documentary film about his life and career, titled Beware of Mr. Baker, which won the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary Feature at the South by Southwest Film Festival . He published his autobiography, Hellraiser: The Autobiography of the World's Greatest Drummer, in 2010 . He moved to South Africa in 2013 and formed a new band, Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion, which played a mix of jazz and African music. He toured Europe and North America until 2014, when he announced his retirement from public performances due to health reasons. He suffered from heart problems and underwent open-heart surgery in 2016 . He died on October 6, 2019, in Canterbury, Kent, England, at the age of 80. He was cremated and his ashes were given to his family or friend ¹. He was survived by his fourth wife, Liz Finch, whom he married in 2010, and his four children from his previous marriages ². He was widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time and a pioneer of rock music. His music has been covered by artists such as Rush, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, and Radiohead. He has also been cited as an inspiration by drummers such as John Bonham, Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Dave Grohl, Chad Smith, Lars Ulrich, and Phil Collins [^10^]. His legacy lives on through his music and his fans around the world. ¹¹¹²¹³¹⁴