Ginger, we are all very thankful for the music you have shared, and continue to share with the world. Thank you for coming out to Facebook so you can communicate directly with many of the people who still love and your music.
Peace from Colorado USA
PMR
!viva los suspectos!
GINGER, let me tell you, you will always be remembered as rock and rolls premier drummer, the absolute best , cheers to you always,joe
Tried to post a message yesterday, but it never appeared. Just a quick “good luck” to Ginger and family. If the post appears, that’s great. I’ll be reading and contributing as I’m sure all of you will. We love and support Ginger and hope that thousands will visit the site.
People who remember you? Ginger, you are hard-wired into our consciousness. Anytime we see a drummer in any band of any description we think “Yeah, he’s OK… but he’s not Ginger Baker”. Sneaking off school to see Blind Faith play in Hyde Park, playing every Cream album until the stylus broke, trying to play all you hits in our school band, you have always been there and part of our lives. I once ran into you when I was an Articled Clerk in Wimpole Street in London and you were in our office. I was stunned. Everyone else just thought you were another client! Then, a lifetime later, I had the pleasure of introducing Jack Bruce on stage at a small event I was hosting in Home House, London. One day, if I ever introduced you on stage, it would complete the circle. Now, I manage artistes in the music industry as it is in 2010. A very different landscape from Cream etc. But in my head, the rolling thunder of GB at full pelt always plays in my head. Congratulations on a great website. All the best.
I am so glad that you and your family have stepped forward here to create such a fine place here for us to all meet and keep such good times alive and so that more people who don’t remember yet[so to speak] can learn and jump in on all of this.You are one of the great drummers and should be known and remembered as such always.You are unique and I look forward to your book.Best of luck always and thanks for your contribution to music that i love.
Ginger you are the best drummer ever and Cream is the best band ever. Thanks for the new website. I will be on often.
Rick
i’am 36 years old and i’am great fan of you on the drums in the cream and blind faith period
cheers
tjakko
Not only do we remember but we still care and listen fondly to your music. As a drummer you were my first inspiration and before I ever picked up a stick I was learning from you, listening to those great Cream and Blind Faith recordings along with everything else you’ve touched. Seeing you back in 2005 with Cream was a treat. Not many people can say they’ve seen their favorite artist of all time live but I can say that about you and a guitarist some consider God.
Dear Mr. Baker,
I just want to say how much your music has meant to me in my life. From the very first time I heard Cream, I knew it was the music meant for me. Besides the Beatles, I think Cream is the greatest band of all time, and the intensity of feeling the three of you created has not been equaled. I have tried to equal it in all of the bands I have been in, but the more you play, the more you realize how truly great the masters are (Ginger, Jack, and Eric, I mean), and you realize how far you have to go in your own journey. All this being said, thank you for your contribution to music. Every time I need to get inspired, I put on a Cream record and I’m reminded of the days making real music mattered. Thank you so much. Also, if you ever wanna jam some blues, I’ll fly my ass out to wherever you are and jam away!!
Ginger:
You, Eric, and Jack are the primary inspiration and reason I picked up the guitar and learned how to play. My love affair with music has only grown more strongly over the years. Music really does communicate what words can not express. Your contribution is immense.
Live long my friend..
Joel Anderson
THANK YOU GINGER FOR BEING THE KIND OF PERSON THAT,THOUGH YOU ARE VERY FAMOUS AND TALENTED..YOU PUT YOURSELF ABOVE NONE…YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL FAMILY AND A GREAT WEBSITE,MY GOD HELP AND BLESS ALL…PEACE!!!
Ginger,
I’ve linked here through Eric’s (Where’s Eric) website and now, I’m pleased to say, it is bookmarked. I shall visit often and plan to hit the ‘shop’ as well.
So happy am I also, to have this chance to thank you for the beat Ginger; and very glad that you, Jack and EC got to do it all another time together. Couldn’t make that concert, but I have the DVD and I’ve gifted it several times to friends and family.
I know this may never happen, but many of us would love to see a revisit of the Blind Faith material, particularly since Steve and Eric have been working together of late, and maybe it would be fitting to bring aboard Jack Bruce to sit in on that specific material for the departed Rick Grech, God rest his soul. I often describe your drumming on that Blind Faith material as nothing less than ‘majestic’, which it is, and never more so than on the ‘Presence Of The Lord’ track. With Jack, Steve, Eric and yourself, it really could bring things full circle in more ways than one, I believe. Anyway, just a bit of food for thought.
God bless you, Ginger. Thanks again for all the music.
All the best,
Kevin
Santa Monica, Ca. USA
PS-
Today I say a prayer for my neighbors who were slaughtered by evil barbarians exactly nine years ago, God rest their souls.
Ginger you are one of the biggest musical influences in my life.Will allways consider you the best of all time. Mike Onesko.
Ginger what was your micing technique on your drums in the studio.
Thanks for setting this up. It’s a great website and the forums promise to be a good resource. Remember you? I used to argue about your style with the tech-head jazz band guys in college. Took me a while to convince them, or perhaps it took them some time to mature a little but, by your work with Fela most were hooked.
Remember you? Hell, how will we ever be able to forget you Ginger? I think Charlie Watts summed it up at your Zildjian tribute when during his introduction of you he simply uttered two simple words that said it all and put everything into all the perspective needed…”The Best”. As for me, when it came to my drumming inspiration and hero Ginger Baker stood alone above all others.
It is great to be able to pop in here and read this stuff. After many years seemingly in the wilderness – certainly being very quiet for a long time – it is so interesting to hear Ginger’s take on things : past, present and future. The arrival of the FaceBook page saw a Ginger Baker keen to relate to his fans and fellow musos, ably assisted by his great clan. His book also helped fill in many blanks in the story for a lot of us who have been diehard Cream/Baker fans over the decades. The FaceBook page was a huge and immediate success wasn’t it? We are all now a bunch of cybernerds attached to our PCs in some kind of (probably) unhealthy parasitic/need thing – but that’s what the world has become and it is a great way of chatting to fellow travellers the world over.
Is this the right section to ask a question?
I have always wondered if the rumours were true that Lionel Blair coached the three of them into doing some dance steps for the photo-shoot of the ‘Goodbye’ cover. Is it true? That is a spendid bit of inspired nonsense and a great image – what a way to go out!!!
could be……….
Ginger:
I was learning to play drums during the mid & late 1960’s. I used to put on records and listen to the drum parts, and then play along. I learned one hell of a lot from listening to you play. So of course I remember you !
Cream were the reason i started playing guitar 30 years ago.i still gain inspiration from that awesome music but hearing your latterday trio material totally recharged me.I’m off to listen to falling off the roof again.You have been a purveyor of inspired musicianship and music all my life.Thank you.
Cream is a dream but wow, could it have really have been? Pure unadulterated magic and a culmination of so much talent doing just the right thing at the right time. One of the greatest if not the greatest band of ALL time.. Glad you all lived through the fire to tell the tale and have went on to continue making music.
So excited to see your website and on facebook. Yay!!
Hey Ginger,
Just heard you on 5FM with the interview that Jon Savage did at your spot.
Man, you will not easily be forgotten, hats off to you for the good vibes.
I hope you find the way to have peace about all the ‘regrets’, on the way to realizing they shaped you into greatness and fulfillment. Seems like lots of folks love and appreciate you.
Kind Regards,
S
You beat everyone else….respect…
I’m so glad the Ginger Baker site is HERE on FB! I grew up on Cream and all British Rock and Roll, about 16 years your junior. Loved seeing Ginger perform 3 nights in a row with his African band, “Salt”, in NYC, my hometown. THANK YOU for all the innovation, rhythm and color within your work. I am a painter and avid jazz fan and your work has truly inspired me throughout the years. Thank you, Mr. B. and family for keeping quality aesthetics going! Love is All, Laura D. in the USA
Remember you?? Are you kidding? Ginger, you were never forgotten….<3
Mr.Baker, I am a 57 year old native of the state of Mississippi and have been playing drums since I was 14. When Wheels of Fire was released, the song that really got my attention was Deserted Cities of The Heart. I can tell you that in all these years that I’ve been playing, I have never been able to figure out your rhythm pattern on the breaks in that song. I am OK with that. That is why you are the greatest drummer of all time. Toad, to this day, takes me to my knees. By the way, when Wheels of Fire was released, I ordered it from a record club, along with a new copy of Disraeli Gears(I wore out the copy that I already had). I received the Wheels of Fire album, but instead of getting a new copy of the Disraeli Gears album, I got a copy of the album Woody Herman “Light my Fire”. Thought you might get a chuckle out of that one. Thank you so much for your incredible contribution to the music industry.
Remember you? Ha, ha, my god, you’re a part of me. I have spent countless hours of my life listening intently to you play. your drumming is etched into my heart and soul. Playing in my own little ‘power trio’ where we did improvisation in much the same way as you all did in Cream (especially on the Wheels version of Spoonful; my fav) was one of the very high points of my life. I got the gig because I was the only drummer the other guys had ever met who could jam like that. And, of course, I learned that from you. Nietzsche once said “Life without music would be a mistake.” My gloss: life without Ginger Baker would be incomparably less life. Thanks, man, and take good care of yourself, Tim
MR Ginger Baker I think you are the best drummer ever(although,Im sure you know this).Even surpassing the late great Keith Moon.Thanks for all your brilliance through the years,ya old geezer,John
You will never be forgotten. You’ve been a great contributor to my life since I first heard Fresh Cream. My father had brought home it for my sister and Are You Experienced for me. A swap was quickly negotiated and then began my great love of your and Jack’s work. I have enjoyed everything you’ve ever done and even went back and picked up the incredible Graham Bond material. Thank you so much for all the great music that has brought so much joy to my life. Cheers, Terry
Remember you? How could we forget you? I had the pleasure of introducing myself to you at Iridium on opening night when you played with DJQ. The room was empty after the first set and I hung around to see if you would come up. I remember the head waitress telling one of the staff “Mr. Baker REALLY WANTS that pot of tea”! The band sounded terrifc and you were very nice. You are THE reason I got serious about playing drums when I was a kid. Thanks for all the inspiration and the memories.
Matt Hardy
The Man…The Myth…The Legend!!!
Ginger how could you think no one would remember you? Granted I’m only 44 but I’ve been playing your music since my early teens. Any band forum or social gathering where drummers are mentioned, “Ginger Baker” is the first name out of my mouth. Mitch Mitchell and Mooney are the second and third. I’ve never had the priviledge of seeing you live but I have my vinyl and the glory of the internet to still be able to see you jam. You’re still IT! You will never be “not remembered”, I guarantee you this!!
Thanks for being you THE GREATEST DRUMMER IN THE WORLD
Mr. Baker,
You are nothing if not unforgettable. Your drumming set time to the soundscape of the beginning of my adult life. Just hearing the first bar of a Cream song takes me back to an era full of promise, wide open possibilities and unbridled freedom! I get those same feelings now listening to your work. Nothing compares. Thank you kindly.
… we will never forget … cheers Ginger
Ginger, we are all very thankful for the music you have shared, and continue to share with the world. Thank you for coming out to Facebook so you can communicate directly with many of the people who still love and your music.
Peace from Colorado USA
PMR
!viva los suspectos!
GINGER, let me tell you, you will always be remembered as rock and rolls premier drummer, the absolute best , cheers to you always,joe
Tried to post a message yesterday, but it never appeared. Just a quick “good luck” to Ginger and family. If the post appears, that’s great. I’ll be reading and contributing as I’m sure all of you will. We love and support Ginger and hope that thousands will visit the site.
People who remember you? Ginger, you are hard-wired into our consciousness. Anytime we see a drummer in any band of any description we think “Yeah, he’s OK… but he’s not Ginger Baker”. Sneaking off school to see Blind Faith play in Hyde Park, playing every Cream album until the stylus broke, trying to play all you hits in our school band, you have always been there and part of our lives. I once ran into you when I was an Articled Clerk in Wimpole Street in London and you were in our office. I was stunned. Everyone else just thought you were another client! Then, a lifetime later, I had the pleasure of introducing Jack Bruce on stage at a small event I was hosting in Home House, London. One day, if I ever introduced you on stage, it would complete the circle. Now, I manage artistes in the music industry as it is in 2010. A very different landscape from Cream etc. But in my head, the rolling thunder of GB at full pelt always plays in my head. Congratulations on a great website. All the best.
I am so glad that you and your family have stepped forward here to create such a fine place here for us to all meet and keep such good times alive and so that more people who don’t remember yet[so to speak] can learn and jump in on all of this.You are one of the great drummers and should be known and remembered as such always.You are unique and I look forward to your book.Best of luck always and thanks for your contribution to music that i love.
Ginger you are the best drummer ever and Cream is the best band ever. Thanks for the new website. I will be on often.
Rick
i’am 36 years old and i’am great fan of you on the drums in the cream and blind faith period
cheers
tjakko
Not only do we remember but we still care and listen fondly to your music. As a drummer you were my first inspiration and before I ever picked up a stick I was learning from you, listening to those great Cream and Blind Faith recordings along with everything else you’ve touched. Seeing you back in 2005 with Cream was a treat. Not many people can say they’ve seen their favorite artist of all time live but I can say that about you and a guitarist some consider God.
Dear Mr. Baker,
I just want to say how much your music has meant to me in my life. From the very first time I heard Cream, I knew it was the music meant for me. Besides the Beatles, I think Cream is the greatest band of all time, and the intensity of feeling the three of you created has not been equaled. I have tried to equal it in all of the bands I have been in, but the more you play, the more you realize how truly great the masters are (Ginger, Jack, and Eric, I mean), and you realize how far you have to go in your own journey. All this being said, thank you for your contribution to music. Every time I need to get inspired, I put on a Cream record and I’m reminded of the days making real music mattered. Thank you so much. Also, if you ever wanna jam some blues, I’ll fly my ass out to wherever you are and jam away!!
Ginger:
You, Eric, and Jack are the primary inspiration and reason I picked up the guitar and learned how to play. My love affair with music has only grown more strongly over the years. Music really does communicate what words can not express. Your contribution is immense.
Live long my friend..
Joel Anderson
THANK YOU GINGER FOR BEING THE KIND OF PERSON THAT,THOUGH YOU ARE VERY FAMOUS AND TALENTED..YOU PUT YOURSELF ABOVE NONE…YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL FAMILY AND A GREAT WEBSITE,MY GOD HELP AND BLESS ALL…PEACE!!!
Ginger,
I’ve linked here through Eric’s (Where’s Eric) website and now, I’m pleased to say, it is bookmarked. I shall visit often and plan to hit the ‘shop’ as well.
So happy am I also, to have this chance to thank you for the beat Ginger; and very glad that you, Jack and EC got to do it all another time together. Couldn’t make that concert, but I have the DVD and I’ve gifted it several times to friends and family.
I know this may never happen, but many of us would love to see a revisit of the Blind Faith material, particularly since Steve and Eric have been working together of late, and maybe it would be fitting to bring aboard Jack Bruce to sit in on that specific material for the departed Rick Grech, God rest his soul. I often describe your drumming on that Blind Faith material as nothing less than ‘majestic’, which it is, and never more so than on the ‘Presence Of The Lord’ track. With Jack, Steve, Eric and yourself, it really could bring things full circle in more ways than one, I believe. Anyway, just a bit of food for thought.
God bless you, Ginger. Thanks again for all the music.
All the best,
Kevin
Santa Monica, Ca. USA
PS-
Today I say a prayer for my neighbors who were slaughtered by evil barbarians exactly nine years ago, God rest their souls.
Ginger you are one of the biggest musical influences in my life.Will allways consider you the best of all time. Mike Onesko.
Ginger what was your micing technique on your drums in the studio.
Thanks for setting this up. It’s a great website and the forums promise to be a good resource. Remember you? I used to argue about your style with the tech-head jazz band guys in college. Took me a while to convince them, or perhaps it took them some time to mature a little but, by your work with Fela most were hooked.
Remember you? Hell, how will we ever be able to forget you Ginger? I think Charlie Watts summed it up at your Zildjian tribute when during his introduction of you he simply uttered two simple words that said it all and put everything into all the perspective needed…”The Best”. As for me, when it came to my drumming inspiration and hero Ginger Baker stood alone above all others.
It is great to be able to pop in here and read this stuff. After many years seemingly in the wilderness – certainly being very quiet for a long time – it is so interesting to hear Ginger’s take on things : past, present and future. The arrival of the FaceBook page saw a Ginger Baker keen to relate to his fans and fellow musos, ably assisted by his great clan. His book also helped fill in many blanks in the story for a lot of us who have been diehard Cream/Baker fans over the decades. The FaceBook page was a huge and immediate success wasn’t it? We are all now a bunch of cybernerds attached to our PCs in some kind of (probably) unhealthy parasitic/need thing – but that’s what the world has become and it is a great way of chatting to fellow travellers the world over.
Is this the right section to ask a question?
I have always wondered if the rumours were true that Lionel Blair coached the three of them into doing some dance steps for the photo-shoot of the ‘Goodbye’ cover. Is it true? That is a spendid bit of inspired nonsense and a great image – what a way to go out!!!
could be……….
Ginger:
I was learning to play drums during the mid & late 1960’s. I used to put on records and listen to the drum parts, and then play along. I learned one hell of a lot from listening to you play. So of course I remember you !
Cream were the reason i started playing guitar 30 years ago.i still gain inspiration from that awesome music but hearing your latterday trio material totally recharged me.I’m off to listen to falling off the roof again.You have been a purveyor of inspired musicianship and music all my life.Thank you.
Cream is a dream but wow, could it have really have been? Pure unadulterated magic and a culmination of so much talent doing just the right thing at the right time. One of the greatest if not the greatest band of ALL time.. Glad you all lived through the fire to tell the tale and have went on to continue making music.
So excited to see your website and on facebook. Yay!!
Hey Ginger,
Just heard you on 5FM with the interview that Jon Savage did at your spot.
Man, you will not easily be forgotten, hats off to you for the good vibes.
I hope you find the way to have peace about all the ‘regrets’, on the way to realizing they shaped you into greatness and fulfillment. Seems like lots of folks love and appreciate you.
Kind Regards,
S
You beat everyone else….respect…
I’m so glad the Ginger Baker site is HERE on FB! I grew up on Cream and all British Rock and Roll, about 16 years your junior. Loved seeing Ginger perform 3 nights in a row with his African band, “Salt”, in NYC, my hometown. THANK YOU for all the innovation, rhythm and color within your work. I am a painter and avid jazz fan and your work has truly inspired me throughout the years. Thank you, Mr. B. and family for keeping quality aesthetics going! Love is All, Laura D. in the USA
Remember you?? Are you kidding? Ginger, you were never forgotten….<3
Mr.Baker, I am a 57 year old native of the state of Mississippi and have been playing drums since I was 14. When Wheels of Fire was released, the song that really got my attention was Deserted Cities of The Heart. I can tell you that in all these years that I’ve been playing, I have never been able to figure out your rhythm pattern on the breaks in that song. I am OK with that. That is why you are the greatest drummer of all time. Toad, to this day, takes me to my knees. By the way, when Wheels of Fire was released, I ordered it from a record club, along with a new copy of Disraeli Gears(I wore out the copy that I already had). I received the Wheels of Fire album, but instead of getting a new copy of the Disraeli Gears album, I got a copy of the album Woody Herman “Light my Fire”. Thought you might get a chuckle out of that one. Thank you so much for your incredible contribution to the music industry.
Remember you? Ha, ha, my god, you’re a part of me. I have spent countless hours of my life listening intently to you play. your drumming is etched into my heart and soul. Playing in my own little ‘power trio’ where we did improvisation in much the same way as you all did in Cream (especially on the Wheels version of Spoonful; my fav) was one of the very high points of my life. I got the gig because I was the only drummer the other guys had ever met who could jam like that. And, of course, I learned that from you. Nietzsche once said “Life without music would be a mistake.” My gloss: life without Ginger Baker would be incomparably less life. Thanks, man, and take good care of yourself, Tim
MR Ginger Baker I think you are the best drummer ever(although,Im sure you know this).Even surpassing the late great Keith Moon.Thanks for all your brilliance through the years,ya old geezer,John
You will never be forgotten. You’ve been a great contributor to my life since I first heard Fresh Cream. My father had brought home it for my sister and Are You Experienced for me. A swap was quickly negotiated and then began my great love of your and Jack’s work. I have enjoyed everything you’ve ever done and even went back and picked up the incredible Graham Bond material. Thank you so much for all the great music that has brought so much joy to my life. Cheers, Terry
Remember you? How could we forget you? I had the pleasure of introducing myself to you at Iridium on opening night when you played with DJQ. The room was empty after the first set and I hung around to see if you would come up. I remember the head waitress telling one of the staff “Mr. Baker REALLY WANTS that pot of tea”! The band sounded terrifc and you were very nice. You are THE reason I got serious about playing drums when I was a kid. Thanks for all the inspiration and the memories.
Matt Hardy
The Man…The Myth…The Legend!!!
Ginger how could you think no one would remember you? Granted I’m only 44 but I’ve been playing your music since my early teens. Any band forum or social gathering where drummers are mentioned, “Ginger Baker” is the first name out of my mouth. Mitch Mitchell and Mooney are the second and third. I’ve never had the priviledge of seeing you live but I have my vinyl and the glory of the internet to still be able to see you jam. You’re still IT! You will never be “not remembered”, I guarantee you this!!
Thanks for being you THE GREATEST DRUMMER IN THE WORLD
Mr. Baker,
You are nothing if not unforgettable. Your drumming set time to the soundscape of the beginning of my adult life. Just hearing the first bar of a Cream song takes me back to an era full of promise, wide open possibilities and unbridled freedom! I get those same feelings now listening to your work. Nothing compares. Thank you kindly.