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Wow, Ginger and Buddy in one weekend! Talk about lucky.Quote
tatters
Ginger Baker and Buddy Rich were the two greatest drummers I ever saw in person. And I saw them on the same weekend! Ginger on Friday and Buddy on Saturday, at My Father's Place, a little club on the north shore of Long Island, back in December of 1983. I'd rate it a draw, though I'd hasten to add that Buddy was 66 years old at the time, while Ginger was only 44 and could still really play. And with Buddy playing big band swing and Ginger playing blues and Cream covers, I was more predisposed towards liking Ginger's show to begin with. I remember during Buddy's set, someone mentioned that Ginger had been there the night before, and Buddy said "Ginger's good." That's all he said about Ginger, but considering he once said Ringo was "merely adequate, nothing more" having Buddy say that you're "good" was the highest praise.
He just seems like he's always been a thoroughly grotesque human being. I have a hard time mustering any sympathy for him...he made to 80 at any rate. That's more than some people far better than he get to.Quote
stone66
I suppose this qualifies as a "pre-RIP" thread.
Lately I've been wondering when such an announcement would pop up, given how he hasn't enjoyed good health for quite a long time.
I was just about to post in another thread (that by now pointless "new album" thread) the following: "Can you believe that Ginger Baker has lived to be 80?"
His son Kofi in a recent interview has also marveled on his father's longevity, given his history of substance abuse, saying that his mother, Ginger's first wife, is no longer alive and was sedentary and ate red meat, whereas Ginger exercised and ate fish.
Would be an appropriate time to revisit that recent doc, Beware Mr. Baker. His comments on Mick Jagger are fairly hilarious.
Ironic how a musician so outspoken with his disdain for rock music will be remembered mainly as a rock drummer.
Funny how a musician of his caliber wouldn't know the difference between song writing and music arranging, given how he has long claimed that he should be given songwriting credit for contributing to the musical structure and tempo of such songs as Sunshine Of Your Love.
Regarding his son Kofi, in a very recent interview he claims his dad still refuses contact and won't have anything to do with him, despite that Kofi himself has attempted to reach out. Ginger should make amends before it's too late. Such a shame to leave the world with such bitterness remaining....
Found the link to that interview twice referenced above:
How will you feel when he dies?
"Again, I don’t really know him. It’s not going to be like I’ve lost someone that I know. He’s not really been in my life. He’s been in my life very small amounts. I don’t know how I’ll feel, but I can’t see me being devastated like a parent that’s been here for me. He’s not in my life. He’s not in my thoughts. I don’t think about him. The only time I think about him is when people bring him up. I really only think about the musical side of it. I don’t think about the personality side. The only time I’ve spent with my dad is forcing him to give me lessons. It’s really only the drumming thing I really got from him. I think I’ve got everything from [him] I need drumming-wise. Technically, I’ve probably passed him because drumming has gone a long way since my dad’s era. I don’t know. Who knows? I doubt I’ll be that sad. It’s kind of like he’s already dead. He’s disowned me so many times in my life. It’s like he’s been dead to me for a long time anyway."
...do you hope to make peace with your dad before he dies?
"I’m trying. It’s hard right now because he’s lot … I don’t know if he’s all there right now, so it’s really hard. I’m trying. I’m sending the emails and trying to say, “We should talk and at least be kind of civil at this point.” I have a feeling that it’s too late. I can only try. That’s all I can do. I can keep the best part of him alive, which is the drumming and the music. That’s what he gave to the human race. I’m going to keep the best positive side of my dad alive. That’s the best I can do."
Full interview: [www.rollingstone.com]
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tatters
Ginger Baker and Buddy Rich were the two greatest drummers I ever saw in person. And I saw them on the same weekend! Ginger on Friday and Buddy on Saturday, at My Father's Place, a little club on the north shore of Long Island, back in December of 1983. I'd rate it a draw, though I'd hasten to add that Buddy was 66 years old at the time, while Ginger was only 44 and could still really play. And with Buddy playing big band swing and Ginger playing blues and Cream covers, I was more predisposed towards liking Ginger's show to begin with. I remember during Buddy's set, someone mentioned that Ginger had been there the night before, and Buddy said "Ginger's good." That's all he said about Ginger, but considering he once said Ringo was "merely adequate, nothing more" having Buddy say that you're "good" was the highest praise.
Did Buddy ever PRAISE any other drummers, especially anyone outside of jazz? That's the real question.Quote
Phil GoodQuote
tatters
Ginger Baker and Buddy Rich were the two greatest drummers I ever saw in person. And I saw them on the same weekend! Ginger on Friday and Buddy on Saturday, at My Father's Place, a little club on the north shore of Long Island, back in December of 1983. I'd rate it a draw, though I'd hasten to add that Buddy was 66 years old at the time, while Ginger was only 44 and could still really play. And with Buddy playing big band swing and Ginger playing blues and Cream covers, I was more predisposed towards liking Ginger's show to begin with. I remember during Buddy's set, someone mentioned that Ginger had been there the night before, and Buddy said "Ginger's good." That's all he said about Ginger, but considering he once said Ringo was "merely adequate, nothing more" having Buddy say that you're "good" was the highest praise.
What I once read is that Buddy Rich attended a Ginger Baker show and after watching Ginger had said that he consideres Ginger a joke.
I have no further proof for that. Anybody here in the know?
Pentti "Whitey" Glan was a family friend (and my favourite drummer), he played with Lou Reed, Alice Cooper and a shit ton of others, and he once said that Buddy Rich complimented his drumming on one of his Tonight Show appearances.Quote
keefriff99
Did Buddy ever PRAISE any other drummers, especially anyone outside of jazz? That's the real question.
Wow, I LOVE this.Quote
roryfaninva
Good old surly Ginger Baker. I was never totally blown away by his Cream or Afrobeat stuff but when I checked into his jazz playing and even some of the old Graham Bond Organization, I finally got what the fuss was all about. Sophisticated and swinging with a suprisingly light touch- a master of the instrument. Like this....
[www.youtube.com]
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BoognishPentti "Whitey" Glan was a family friend (and my favourite drummer), he played with Lou Reed, Alice Cooper and a shit ton of others, and he once said that Buddy Rich complimented his drumming on one of his Tonight Show appearances.Quote
keefriff99
Did Buddy ever PRAISE any other drummers, especially anyone outside of jazz? That's the real question.
He passed away in 2017, sadly. I miss him! He was the coolest and funniest guy I've ever known. Nice to see other people admire him! He was an amazing drummer.Quote
Bungo
I LOVE Pennti Glan! (specificaaly his work w/ Reed and Cooper) Is he still alive? If he is, give him my best if you ever run into him again.
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tatters
Ginger Baker and Buddy Rich were the two greatest drummers I ever saw in person. And I saw them on the same weekend! Ginger on Friday and Buddy on Saturday, at My Father's Place, a little club on the north shore of Long Island, back in December of 1983. I'd rate it a draw, though I'd hasten to add that Buddy was 66 years old at the time, while Ginger was only 44 and could still really play. And with Buddy playing big band swing and Ginger playing blues and Cream covers, I was more predisposed towards liking Ginger's show to begin with. I remember during Buddy's set, someone mentioned that Ginger had been there the night before, and Buddy said "Ginger's good." That's all he said about Ginger, but considering he once said Ringo was "merely adequate, nothing more" having Buddy say that you're "good" was the highest praise.
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Beast
Sending all positive vibes to Ginger, my all-time favourite drummer.