Only Slow Hand left

RIP the greatest drummer ever born.

 

Did well to get to 80....!!
RIP

 

By all accounts he was a total arsehole.

Cream were so groundbreaking. I still listen to Disraeli Gears quite often.

Good drummer, in a seminal band. But I never got the 'best drummer in the world' stuff.

 

I saw him live at the Fforde Grene in 1978.

I have seen a few good drummers in my time and he was as good as his reputation as most of those drummers acknowledge.

 

I don't dispute that he was technically excellent, but I just never found him anywhere near as musical, exciting or memorable as some others. When I think of Cream's repertoire (which I love btw) I think of guitar riffs, bass lines and vocals but I can't think of any particularly memorable drum fills or patterns that stand out within the arrangements.

Whereas others such as Keith Moon, John Bonham, Ian Paice, Bill Bruford and Steve Upton (not to forget Ringo and Charlie Watts) all produced patterns and fills that stood out as integral elements of the arrangements and which stick in my head when I'm singing to myself (which I do a lot). Ginger just didn't do that for me.

 

Some great drummers named there. One of my favourites, not on your list, is Lars Ulrich of Metallica. Keith Moon and John Bonham the true masters though for me

 

I don't dispute that he was a technically excellent drummer who clearly excited other drummers. I'm not knowledgeable enough about drumming technique to understand what it was about him that was so obviously inspiring to others. He was a very 'busy' drummer, hence his twin bass drums and multiple toms. Maybe I prefer more stripped down, hard driving drummers, I don't know. Despite loving Cream's music I just don't find Bakers drumming particularly memorable or exciting. Each to their own.

 

I'm not familiar with most of Metallica's music. I prefer classic 60s/70s rock (Zep, Wishbone Ash, Deep Purple etc) rather than the heavier heavy/speed/thrash metal that came after it, so I'm not in a position to judge Mr Ulrich's work.

 

Charlie Watts can do more with his 4 piece kit than most drummers with there 20 piece flash kits,
On Ginger he was an instinctive drummer and one of the best at what he did, Mad as a box of frogs but very talented