Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Rush, Flea, Brian Wilson & more pay tribute to Ginger Baker
Today came the sad news that legendary drummer Ginger Baker (of Cream, Blind Faith, and more) passed away at age 80. Several fellow musicians have since paid tribute, including Paul McCartney (who worked with Ginger while making Band on the Run), Mick Jagger (who jammed with Ginger in Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated), Ginger’s former Blind Faith bandmate Steve Winwood, the family of Ginger’s late Cream bandmate Jack Bruce, Brian Wilson, Dave Davies (The Kinks), Rush, Ringo Starr, Brian Eno, Billy Bragg, Hawkwind (who Ginger played with in the early ’80s), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, etc), Steven Van Zandt (E Street Band), Carl Palmer, John Lurie, Questlove (The Roots), Brian May (Queen), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Atoms For Peace), Anton Newcombe (The Brian Jonestown Massacre), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Alex Skolnik (Testament), Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet, Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets), Jay Weinberg (Slipknot, Against Me!), Steven Drozd (Flaming Lips), and more. See their tributes below…
Ginger Baker, great drummer, wild and lovely guy. We worked together on the 'Band on the Run' album in his ARC Studio, Lagos, Nigeria. Sad to hear that he died but the memories never will. X Paul pic.twitter.com/Rne4tn6A2i
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) October 6, 2019
Sad news hearing that Ginger Baker has died, I remember playing with him very early on in Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated. He was a fiery but extremely talented and innovative drummer. pic.twitter.com/tZg3IGwP4Z
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) October 6, 2019
I’m sorry to hear that Ginger Baker passed. He was a great drummer and we all were fans of Cream back then. “Sunshine Of Your Love” was a great one. Love & Mercy, Brian
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) October 6, 2019
1/2 As a young musician few drummers stood taller or were a bigger musical influence than Ginger Baker…I will never forget the awesomeness of seeing him perform with Cream at Massey Hall on June 5 1968 along side the late great Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton. pic.twitter.com/U033iRN1ke
— Rush (@rushtheband) October 6, 2019
Ginger Baker was a great and unique musician and an innovator as well – he will be sorely missed – I met him many years ago in the old days and saw him a couple years ago in New York and he still sounded great – 1/2
— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) October 6, 2019
– he always had nice things to say about the Kinks – i feel bad but he had a good run – love and blessings Dave Davies nice drumming in this song @GingerBDrums https://t.co/sTZJHvp1FC #RIPGingerBaker 2/2
— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) October 6, 2019
God bless Ginger Baker incredible musician wild And inventive. drummer Peace and love to his family 😎✌️🌟❤️🎵🥦🎶☮️ pic.twitter.com/jzAynDMEKy
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) October 6, 2019
The Bruce family would like to extend their sincere condolences to Ginger Baker’s family, friends and fans. Surviving a love hate relationship, Ginger was like an older brother to Jack, their chemistry was truly spectacular. RIP Ginger, one of the greatest drummers of all time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/G9Pl4Qecdp
— Jack Bruce (@jackbrucemusic) October 6, 2019
So much freedom in his playing. What a wildman. Rhythms we’ve hear all our lives he plucked them out of the sky. Rest In Peace Ginger Baker. https://t.co/e3L4IHodhT
— Flea (@flea333) October 6, 2019
Rest In Peace Mr Ginger Baker. pic.twitter.com/uiEJF0zv9Y
— anton newcombe (@antonnewcombe) October 6, 2019
RIP the great Ginger Baker. The reason so many drummers wanted a double-bass drum. #GingerBaker pic.twitter.com/FXXWsxmsqo
— Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) October 6, 2019
Thank you Ginger Baker.
— Jay Weinberg (@jayweinbergdrum) October 6, 2019
1/2 Very sad day in the Drum world as we say goodbye to one of rock’s greatest pioneers: Ginger Baker. In the 60’s, there were a few drummers that came onto the scene playing “lead drums”. Ginger Baker was one of them taking rock drumming to a whole new level of expression. —-> pic.twitter.com/LGRlyJcyp4
— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) October 6, 2019
In Heaven News today, Ginger Baker arrived and beat the shit out of Jack Bruce.
Ginger is now hiding from Elvin Jones who wants to have a word.
The management of Heaven knows this is not the Heaven you anticipated and hopes to have things calmed down in time for your arrival.— John Lurie (@lurie_john) October 6, 2019
Ginger Baker was a big influence when I was in my teens. The Cream were one of my favourite all-time bands. I went to see them 8 times. Ginger was always on fire!
~Carl pic.twitter.com/3c1xc96JMy
— Carl Palmer (@ELP_carl) October 6, 2019
RIP Ginger Baker. One of the greatest drummers of all time. Begin with Cream’s Disraeli Gears. https://t.co/dObwjvWrva
— 🕉🇺🇦🟦Stevie Van Zandt☮️💙 (@StevieVanZandt) October 6, 2019
Farewell to one of the most innovative drummers in rock, strong influence of Afrobeat & jazz (friend of Fela Kuti & Elvin Jones respectively) & one of rock’s biggest “characters” (admittedly difficult persona) RIP #GingerBaker See this film if u haven’t: https://t.co/wS9yEgY2D5 pic.twitter.com/eRZtwcMhwE
— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) October 6, 2019
RIP Ginger Baker #drummer #Cream #FelaKuti https://t.co/dbW7SqxlS6 pic.twitter.com/0HFOVW9sXJ
— Brian Eno News (@dark_shark) October 6, 2019
Sad to hear of the passing of a great drummer, Ginger Baker.
— Steve Hackett (@HackettOfficial) October 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/stevendrozd/status/1180868116198367233
https://twitter.com/KeithCarlock/status/118084629401060557