Three glimpses of Mister Baker

With the passing of Ginger Baker, here are three glimpses of him along the way.

Novelty Band

This mad scene from a terrible movie features the Graham Bond Organization, the chief weakness of which was the devil-worshipping suicidal occultist lead, Graham Bond. The rhythm section of Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, on the other hand, was more than adequate.

Fully Operational

Cream 1.0 is all business. I’ve been told Baker drummed with his mouth open not because he was insane but so he could hear better.

Closing Act

The Cream reunion at the Albert Hall produces some of their best music. From the first number the three demonstrated the ability to play together without marring one-upmanship, which I suppose is what they should have been after all along.

Ginger Baker is also credited with inventing the modern rock drum solo, but we won’t hold that against him. Much.

• Ginger Baker, Cream Drummer And Force Of Nature, Dies At 80 (link)

• “Beware of Mister Baker” (link)