submit urlsubmit rss feedadd directoryDirectory of Mobile Arts Sites

article

Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (born August 19, 1939, Lewisham, London) is an English drummer who gained fame as a member of possibly the world's first supergroup "Cream" from 1966 until 1968 with Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton. He later joined Clapton, Ric Grech and Steve Winwood in the 1969 group Blind Faith. In the early 1970s, Baker toured and recorded with a fusion rock group, Ginger Baker's Air Force.

Baker's drumming attracted attention for its flamboyancey, virtuosity, showmanship, and his pioneering use of two bass drums instead of the conventional single 'kick' drum, possibly influenced by the jazz drummer Sam Woodyard or the jazz great Louie Bellson. He is also noted for applying other percussion instruments rarely heard of before in rock music and for his application of African rhythms to much of his drumming, influenced by his drum tutor Phil Seaman (this can be witnessed on "Sunshine of Your Love" by Cream). While at times performing in a bombastic manner similar to that of Keith Moon of The Who and Carlo Little, Baker was also capable of more restrained playing informed by years of work with British jazz groups during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He established the standard for which all rock drumming conforms to today. Baker also performed lengthy improvisational drum solos, his most famous of all is the 16 minute drum solo "Toad" which can be heard on the Cream double album of Wheels of Fire.

Baker was known for taking excessive amounts of amphetamines during the 1960s; as a result rumors emerged through the years that he had died, although interview footage of him in the 90's and the recent Cream reunion shows in London and New York have proven otherwise. In addition, Baker was addicted to heroin for over twenty years, kicking the habit in the early 1980s.

More on [ Ginger Baker ]


directory of related categories

 
directory of related topics

Blind Faith :: B
Cream
Music :: Arts and Entertainment

 
Baker,_Ginger RSS feed
epic records news

Brandy's New Album, Human
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:54:36 -0000
Brandy's new album, Human, will be released on November 11, 2008. "Human is my most personal album to date," said Brandy. "I have grown so much since my last album.  Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can't describe."
Lenka in Eliza Magazine!
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:58:17 -0000
Click the images below to expand!
"You Don't Know Me" (feat. Regina Spektor) Available Now!
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:01:43 -0000
Get Ben's new single "You Don't Know Me" (feat. Regina Spektor) now! iTunes | Rhapsody | Napster | Amazon | Zune

 
Subscribe to Bands_and_Artists RSS feed

directory of related sites

DrummerWorld.com: Ginger Baker - Collection of photographs of the artist.

Ginger Baker - Biography and black and white photograph.

Ginger Baker - Detailed biography accompanied by several photographs.

404 Ginger Baker The Best Drummer Worldwide - Large collection of photographs and album covers.

RollingStone.com: Ginger Baker - Includes biography, discography, and reviews.
Meta Description: [ Rolling Stone gives you total Ginger Baker coverage including free music, videos, photos, music news and exclusive Rolling Stone articles. ]

Baker,_Ginger related videos
Ginger Baker performs his "Toad" drum solo, 2005. Please keep your comments clean and respectful -- make no attacks on ...
Next Video

 

HOMEADVERTISINGABOUT US

articlesartsbusinesscomputersgameshealthhospitalshomekids & teensnewsmobilephysiciansrecreationreferenceregionalscienceshoppingsocietysportsworld


Submit a Site About Become an Editor