Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker
(August,19th 1939 – October,6th 2019)
was an English
drummer.
His work in the
1960s and 1970s
earned him
the reputation of
"rock's first superstar drummer",
for a style that
melded jazz
and
African rhythms
and pioneered both
jazz fusion
and
world music.
Baker gained
early fame
as a member of
Blues Incorporated
and the
Graham Bond Organisation,
both times
alongside
bassist
Jack Bruce,
with whom
Baker would
often clash.
In 1966,
Baker and Bruce
joined
guitarist
Eric Clapton
to form
The Super Group
Cream,
which achieved
worldwide success
but lasted only
until 1968,
in part due
to Baker's
and Bruce's
volatile relationship.
After working with
Clapton
in the short-lived band
Blind Faith
and leading
Ginger Baker's Air Force,
Baker spent several years
in the 1970s
living and recording
in Africa,
often with
Fela Kuti,
in pursuit of his
long-time interest
in African music.
Among Baker's other
collaborations
are his work with
Gary Moore,
Masters of Reality,
Public Image Ltd,
Hawkwind,
Atomic Rooster,
Bill Laswell,
jazz bassist
Charlie Haden,
jazz guitarist
Bill Frisell,
and
Ginger Baker's Energy.
Baker's drumming is regarded
for its style,
showmanship,
and use of
two bass drums
instead of the
conventional single one,
after the manner
of the
jazz drummer
Louie Bellson.
In his early days,
he performed lengthy
drum solos,
most notably in
the Cream song
"Toad",
one of the earliest
recorded examples
in rock music.
