Former Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward paid tribute to legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker.
Ginger was announced dead a few days ago.
Here’s the statement from Bill:
“The bass drums are not in time with each other, I search for a 1, listen to the hats, no 1 on the hats, listen for 4 beats on a crash ride, I can’t find them, they’re in his head. I fall back and listen to the entirety of the rhythm, I hear it all, it’s quiet, brilliant, unique, a leap forward, and alluring, what is this, multiple rhythms, endorsing progress, showing what can be brought out of a drum kit, when I thought I understood, he changed everything around, and what I was holding onto, pushed me away and almost demanded I start all over and listen closer this time.
“This man I’d never met, this traveler, rule breaker, this man, who showed the very many that change is possible, will live forever, his final punctuation marks leave me listening to the drums of Africa, and I am brought to a place to sit and rest and look at the swollen dark clouds, now opening slightly allowing sun rays to shoot to the ground, something great has happened. Something beautiful has passed.
“Thank you, Ginger.
Rest in peace.
“Respectfully,
Bill Ward”
Ginger Baker’s work in the 1960s earned him the reputation of “rock’s first superstar drummer”. His style was unique and often melds a jazz background with African rhythms. He is credited as a pioneer of drumming in genres like jazz fusion, heavy metal, and world music. Ginger is one of the most brilliant, versatile and turbulent drummers in the history of UK music.