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Ginger Baker, rock drumming colossus of Cream, dies at 80




By Andrew Marton
Washington Post
October 6, 2019


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 Oct. 6 at 80.

His family announced the death on Twitter, saying Mr. Baker died in a hospital. Additional details were not immediately available.

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. I certainly emulated Ginger’s approaches to rhythm — his hard, flat, percussive sound was very innovative. Everyone who came after built on that foundation. Every rock drummer since has been influenced in some way by Ginger, even if they don’t know it.” ...


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https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obi...f31d_story.html

Definitely a great rock & roll drummer, but also unhinged, obnoxious and not a nice person. If you need to know more about his life, personality watch the rather engaging documentary, 'Beware Mr. Baker'.

RIP Mr. B.

Beyond Cream, I really liked "Horses and Trees" among his solo and trio stuff.

RIP

Great talent ... RIP

He was the best. Heavily influence by African drumming.

Next to the Beatles, Cream was the best. The best Bass player in Jack Bruce, the best guitarist in Clapton, and then Ginger...the guy was amazing....RIP Ginger.