Ginger Baker Interview on Beware of Mr Baker & Q&A | BFI

Ginger Baker Interview on Beware of Mr Baker & Q&A | BFI. Subscribe: bit.ly/subscrib...
Drummer Ginger Baker and director Jay Bulger talk about Beware Of Mr. Baker, the documentary chronicling Ginger's controversial life.
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[@danielmcdermott138]

Fascinating figure. Not 'misunderstood', just a genuine anti-social personality. Not to mention, maybe the greatest 'rock' drummer. Ever. Rest in Peace.

[@rippedtorn2310]

Over rated isn't strong enough a word . To non-drummers you can tell he's great but fucking no way is he a genius . He is a nasty prick tho . Glad more people can see how horrible he is . I loathe him .

[@yomasane3670]

@@rippedtorn2310 He wouldn't be the first famous musician to live down to their ''difficult'' reputation. Both Sinatra and Chuck Berry were renown as arrogant and ego driven. Baker seems frail, confused in obvious decline.

[@Krabadaque]

@@yomasane3670 Miles Davis also was said to have been unpleasant to interviewers and especially to white people, but when I read about his father having died because there was no black ambulance (?) available, I understood why. As for GB - I understood that he was being bullied when he was small. Things like that can leave marks on a person.

[@rickgiannone6304]

@@yomasane3670 You're correct about Sinatra and Berry. All three of them were scumbags !!! Yes, great musicians but scumbags all the same!

[@boomer3150]

@@yomasane3670 Buddy Rich, too.

[@ickysticky3672]

“Now you can see why I broke his nose.” Nailed it!

[@mastic5519]

Ginger is a rock legend,and this young movie maker knows that and brought us this gem... brilliant....thank you

[@plasticweapon]

Craig Wells actually, your legacy is your bitterness, because you're a drone with the same "channel has no content" that all butthurt, "muh feels" social justice types have.

[@plasticweapon]

"do you actually think Ginger Baker is a pleasant person?" see, this is what i'm talking about. why don't you ask me if i think hitler is a pleasant person because he didn't kill as many people as stalin? and it shows where your head is at: "be nice, be nice, be nice". i don't come to this guy (or any artist) because he's "pleasant". that's no way to approach art. and i don't have any illusions about him. he's a miserable son of a bitch, but that's not his legacy. his legacy is his drumming.

[@truegangsteroflove]

I don't really care about Ginger Baker's life or personality much. I heard he was raising horses in Colorado a while back, which is nice, but his drumming is what matters to me. I bought Fresh Cream in 1967, at a time of transition for me, was an awakening of sorts. I was in the Army in Germany when Blind Faith happened, then a few years later with Ginger Baker's Air Force, just amazing drum work. I also don't care if he is or was "better" than John Bonham or Keith Moon. They were perfect for their bands. Ringo Starr was perfect for the Beatles, played the drums like a musical instrument, appropriate to the songs. I don't listen to music and go "Hey, that's the best drummer in the world." I prefer the experience, not the ranking. So thanks Ginger for the great sounds. You paid a price. We all do.

[@johnmclean1538]

beautifully said

[@sizzlechooch]

shut up

[@dannydine5263]

Very well said.

[@Topcat9H]

Here here

[@jackdejohnette2810]

joe pish fuck off

[@beckpod1]

I still haven't heard any drummer play like Ginger plays...his fills are always musical...his conversations between his feet and hands are amazing...he has inspired me to play a double kit and entertain myself....I did 6 minute solos in the late sixties and early seventies...stealing from my drum heroes...but Ginger made drum solos that made sense...if I could say one thing to Ginger it's thanks....!!!!

[@drphilgee6430]

Jazz trained thats why...

[@chickentwisties2298]

Well clearly you haven't heard many drummers then...

[@user-jg9pk2yy2d]

​@@chickentwisties2298you first have to study music and learn how to play drums . Your comment is stupid

[@kewlfonz]

Old Ginger is just so over the top-Hilarious. I like his over the top egotism-"I went into a club somewhere and heard this great drumming over the hifi, and I suddenly realised it was me..." Brilliant stuff!!!

[@Mr._Magee]

He's like volcano simmering underneath ready to go off at any moment. Loved the documentary, and love his music

[@namaste91]

he's a drumming mad man.

[@wrenchhead4378]

Yea, so typical drummer...

[@UroboricNate]

I thought the question "Has any music brought you to tears" was a great question.

[@mathewkirk1748]

That's why it was also the question he treated with the most respect and consideration.

[@Krabadaque]

@@mathewkirk1748 - Amen!

[@MosesDeLaRoses]

@@mathewkirk1748 Agreed. Proves how much it meant to him compared to all the politics and bullshit

[@markroffe3967]

Being a phenomenal, original, amazing drummer does not entitle anyone to be a total sphincter who neglects the children he brings into the world.

[@pierrepetry5734]

How do you know?

[@hawk8412]

@@pierrepetry5734 Thers a BBC documentary showing the story of his life and how the last thing he said to one of his sons in London was "You're a shit drummer wholl never be as good as me" and how he had as many kids as were needed before he got his first boy, who he treated like dirt

[@mattmarkus4868]

Of course and anyone who says different is a stupid idiot

[@eddierivera8556]

Mark R: what's it to you, his family forgave him and that's all that matter's. Have you been a goody two shoe's all your life. NOT!

[@geraldjensen9399]

sphincter schmincter

[@dedodododedadada6943]

This guy was the Paul Gascoigne of Rock. Mega talented hopeless case that you can’t help having a bit of a soft spot for. RIP Mr Baker. The world wasn’t quite ready for you!

[@bigmoney4685]

Gazza wasnt the best footballer no where near. Ginger baker was 1 of the greatest drummers.

[@wyverntheterrible]

Nah, he was a prick

[@Buelligan88]

The movie Beware of Mr. Baker was really eye opening. I thought it was great and I loved the way Ginger Baker portrayed himself.

[@williamlangan5902]

He wasn’t acting. He really was like he portrayed himself- generous, opinionated and foul tempered- but a one of a kind drummer.

[@podingl]

Surprisingly this film not only taught me how truly legendary mr baker is but also opened my eyes to a great many things about not only some amazing insight into the history and mechanics of the music industry and some of it's characters but also about art , life an artists struggle to live in his heart in a heartless world. It really hit me deep and I am so moved by the integrity of this man. It very much pleased me to see this filmmaker defend his feelings about mr bakers generosity. It amazes and saddens me the amount of disparaging comments aimed towards him. Nobody can applaud his treatment of his family but millions do worse and escape our scrutiny. He's not an asshole. People ask stupid questions instead of getting on with what he's getting on with. Namely, ART

[@jimmygillard]

Well said.

[@margerykirner5604]

The man was an ass hole Totally out of control!

[@differentsession3003]

This is the most polite interview of ginger

[@maxwellfan55]

I love this. Talking straight till the end. Once or twice in your life you come across guys like these, even fewer drummers of his caliber.

[@mattmarkus4868]

My grand dad was like this. And he was an incredible drummer, even better than Ginger.

[@TheInundation]

Now that's a real badass..."I have hundreds of regrets."

[@Krabadaque]

Warm heart - hot temper, perhaps?

[@ahbowakawapoussepousse2712]

Haha. Just imagine Ginger Baker, John Lyndon, and John Lennon sitting at a table insulting each other.

[@RateOfChange]

Add Pete Townshend to that table as well

[@ahbowakawapoussepousse2712]

@@RateOfChange 👏👏👏Hahaha. I actually was going to add him when I wrote it and then thought hmmmm. Better not. (Pete always was a criticising pompous poop regardless of his insane talent. I always thought he was jealous of the Beatles. He was whinging about playing Isle of Wight when the Beatles didn't even need to tour!) Johnny Rotton actually said he thought Ginger was a good guy so they are allies. So it's just a little humoured imagination of mine. Can you imagine the four of them watching and critiquing a popular artist now? Fuck! Scary thought!

[@subg8858]

You have a strange perception of Lennon

[@ahbowakawapoussepousse2712]

@@subg8858 Why? John wasn't a fan of the Sex Pistols, he already had words about Ginger and Pete had already spoken in a derogatory manner about the Beatles. Which part did you miss????

[@josephjohnston612]

Only if there is goin to be "SOME MONEY"

[@MerkinMuffly]

One of the very few rock documentaries that tells the truth, Ginger and Jay should both be applauded for not turning this into another bland hagiography. Could you imagine McCartney doing a bio like this, airing all his dirty laundry?

[@MrMedso1]

I saw him once at the drum clinic in, I guess Arlington Hieghts IL, 1988 and Ginger Baker was playing his chops with the double kick and etc. and it was little bit unbalanced, but when I saw this interview about this film I was really nicely impressed how much love, power and persistence this man had to create his own world among us, beautiful man.

[@mutijerkoff633]

right on!

[@Anthonybchannel]

Yeah he was such a beautiful man. Threatening people with knives and hitting people with his cane. Such a nice guy

[@tomcata1467]

I first heard Ginger Baker, with Cream, in 1967, I had never heard a thunder of drums like that before. It sounded like he had four arms and six legs. Fantastic player!

[@gromitpesley]

6.00 , I hate that where he starts swearing at the audience trying to either impress ginger or to show he's at same grounds with ginger to the audience, I really hate that , it's so embarrassing

[@MrSanguru]

ABSOLUTELY!!! I fully agree! I felt the same way. Bulger is a shame!

[@ahbowakawapoussepousse2712]

Yes same. This drip is out to prove something. I mean that's his whole resume? Using Ginger for his own recognition? Who else has he bugged?

[@gawronowicz5010]

This guy is so full of shit that it's almost unbeliveable.

[@JohannGambolputty22]

Didn’t he say he lied to him and said he was from Rolling Stone magazine? That’s why he said come over. I hardly think Ginger Baker is the most generous person you ever met. Drama queen.

[@herefordmsv]

The bottom line is: Ginger has always been an open book, for better for worse. Many pop stars close off themselves, whereas Ginger has always called it how it is. I respect him for his drumming and having lived a full and exciting life. Period.

[@shawnhapney8784]

Thank you Jay Bulger. Love the documentary. R.I.P. Ginger Baker.

[@Soundmanfh]

Interviewing Ginger Baker is like interviewing the Pope, compared to anyone who interviewed Lou Reed...who scared the hell out of all of them. Regardless of his past and his current views...Ginger Baker blazed a trail like no other. He blazed while being blazed.

[@denverdanoreno]

After watching the documentary of Ginger Baker, I truly believe that Jay Bulger, Director/ producer, is an honest, heart felt person who perhaps needs too meet more people if Ginger is indeed the kindest, most giving person he's ever met. Well done Documentary, worth seeing.

[@yestotruth794]

One of the best drummers ever to walk the planet take what you will of that indeed & leave the rest be.

[@oldgit4260]

I love how Ginger admits he has regrets, can't stand anyone who says they don't have any. Bollocks I say.

[@Krabadaque]

So do I!

[@damianpatrickmcnamara6954]

He's a self pitying morbid pleb, regrets don't necessarily have to turn one into a morbid zombie.

[@plasticweapon]

@@damianpatrickmcnamara6954 it wasn't the regret.

[@inconnu4961]

@@plasticweapon LOL

[@butterflymoon6368]

@Nebby Scumbold that's not a platitudes amongst the young. It's a platitude said by baby boomers when they were young.

[@robertlyle3806]

Generosity is not the theme that I experienced in the movie...I experienced as the story of deeply wounded tragic musical prodigy.

[@happyuk06]

Wounded by whom? He is someone who has allowed his negative qualities to predominate. He calls a guy a (redacted) "wanker" - without giving a reason, he just rationalizes his hurtfulness as "just being honest". It's no wonder other people avoided him. I perceive an overwhelming negativity from him. I don't find listening to him uplifting in any way. Nasty little man.

[@thomasbutler5446]

He was wounded by WWII. He survived Nazi bombings of London. He first learned his rhythm from the timing of the bombs that went off over his head as a toddler. His father died during the war. His mother had to work every waking hour, to put food on the table and a roof over the family's head, in a slum. He was beaten and slashed by street gangs, because he quit running with them. It's quite obvious he is either ADHD, or autistic spectrum. Add PTSD TO all of that and people wonder why he is this way.

[@happyuk06]

@@thomasbutler5446 Not really that worse than what my forebears had to endure. In any case it doesn't matter. Having a victim mentality is a way of guaranteeing a life of misery.

[@toobmaniac]

A prodigy by definition is a person not yet grown up but has skills usually only seen in adults..

[@nutcracker2916]

@@thomasbutler5446A lot of people went through similiar hardships growing up with WW11 as a backdrop. Mixed with other hardships, but still became decent human beings.

[@AaronMThomason]

I was really surprised that Hawkwind was not featured in the documentary since Ginger Baker played drums on the Levitation album. Hawkwind are Great and it's sad that they don't seem to get much credit.

[@KodakKid]

I agree with both of you in the sense that I believe that Ginger was completely right to have immersed himself in art especially as he is so bitter with the world he lives in (nothing wrong with that). At the same time, it's a disgusting shame that he's brought a family into the world that he didn't want care for or invest time in.

[@debomb721]

I completely agree

[@NathanThePrezPretlow]

Ginger Baker is funny as hell. Even though he has turned into a grumpy old man he still funny as hell.R.I.P.Ginger

[@jibsmokestack1]

Grumpy old South East Londoners are some of the funniest people around. Zero fucks given.

[@kea9809]

He was a grump old man since he was born.

[@LordoftheJimmy]

"Now you can see why I broke his nose..." Classic Ginger!

[@bluesfansally7097]

i would like to see and listen to him in austria soon appreciate his music and i think he's avery intelligent man, who reflects very well

[@johnbellison4779]

I was also a drummer in the '60s and was in support band for Cream at a couple of gigs. Naturally, had some conversation with Mr Baker before and after the gig. In no way do i decry his talent, but somethings are better remembered than experienced.

[@railcar123]

As Eric Clapton stated, he is "A lovable rouge"

[@XavierKatzone]

Mostly without the "loveable," though!

[@stephaneherringtoniowritin9180]

@@XavierKatzone 😀😁😀😁😀😁

[@BorneoMatthews]

Ģgzzxv

[@robpelick7460]

He makes Buddy seem warm and personable ...RIP Mr. Baker

[@b31770]

what ever people say or think about baker ,man he was one drummer ,the best.Just life wasent allways fair to him.

[@bernardwong7968]

Should have said: " He wasn't always fair to life"

[@dylanmorgan2752]

+Bernard Wong Yh that’s definitely true, he could’ve made way more money and stayed with his family if he was more functional and stable he could’ve kept that, and kept cream together for much longer along with his subsequent band enterprises and actually stuck around long enough to smell the roses etc. But by every testament including his own, it was his mad, toxic, irrational, violent and unpredictable personality that reflected his life experience up to then and what was yet to come and so reflected back onto his music. In other words if he wasn’t that way, he could’ve lived the sensible life of a rockstar, as weird as it sounds he was way too wild even for rockstars in the 60’s and 70’s, which is a juxtaposition of words of I’ve ever seen it.

[@matthewlogan6501]

Julian Leslie Life isn’t fair to any of us. That’s no Excuse to be a jerk off to everybody in sight. That “chip on the shoulder “attitude is a fast track to a miserable life. If it wasn’t for his talent and music, this man wouldn’t have made it very far.

[@papalaz4444244]

Ginger's drumming on Hawkwind's "Levitation" album is, of course, superb. It's one of the most cohesive and best produced albums Hawkwind ever made.

[@JulioLeonFandinho]

Hawkwind is crap

[@boomer3150]

@@JulioLeonFandinho So is your opinion.

[@waynesilverman3048]

That's right boomer

[@boomer3150]

@@waynesilverman3048 Thanks.

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

I thought the scene in the film where he relates the advice that his dad left for him is heartbreaking. It seems safe to say that it made him what he is

[@miked7295]

It has been a year or two since I saw that movie, could you remind me what that quote was?

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Mike Draijer It has now been a long time since I saw it and I have no wish to misquote anything. If it didn't strike you at the time you heard it it may not mean anything to you now

[@miked7295]

***** Sounds like I get to watch the documentary again :)

[@henryfitch8710]

His note from his dad who died in WW2 was that your fists are your best friends.

[@jericho9653]

Watched this documentary on ecstasy in my mid 20s when it came out. My friend put it on for me. What a doc

[@Henry-uv9xu]

This was uncomfortable to watch lol

[@f9qo]

I wonder sometimes how much Ginger is just putting people on. He's got an Englishman's perspective on that.

[@bellyspecial9152]

The movie definitely showed ginger's generous nature

[@NicholasSadlier]

Why was Ginger Baker wheeled out to promote a film he hadn't seen? If he doesn't want to talk, leave him alone - don't make a spectacle of him. There are other ways to promote a film. He's a legendary musician - not mr personality of the year - respect him for who and what he is and for his musical legacy.

[@lbboardingb3356]

if he didn't want to be there he could've just said no.

[@MerkinMuffly]

It was for Ginger's benefit, he was fucking broke and he loves the attention although he won't say it.

[@thomast596]

BINGO!

[@pressureflipin1992]

It was part of the contract for making the movie. He gets paid but he has to do promotion too

[@timcharles5476]

As he says, he needed the money, pure and simple.

[@jimmygillard]

I loved this interview. Esp how passionate Bulger gets at the end with the guy's leading question.

[@ihatespam2]

Bakers genius is undeniable no matter how ignorant you wish to remain. All the other drummers in the world don't dig him for no reason. Like Hendrix, there is a reason all the guitarist love him whether you get it or not.

[@jordanlacombe4318]

I loved Ginger's music, but I have no idea how he made it to 80 years old.

[@brianglade848]

He was 80 in 1968

[@paulkittinger4671]

Must have Keith Richards type of genes

[@clinke2007]

Yes, Jay, it was incredibly generous of Ginger to let you live with him...so that you could make a movie about him. Surely a sainthood is in order for someone who is so selflessly generous and kind.

[@triptoheaveandho]

i met Ginger briefly many years ago.. and even tho,, he kind of star=tled me he was nice and smiled genuinely and was very courteous...

[@michaelbrown4775]

Got to see Ginger's Air Force with Buddy Miles out side gig upstate NY 70's dam man life was good to me .They rocked .THE BEAR

[@tommyboo21]

Just got to know about Ginger Baker. Instantly drawn in. Instantly liked him. Such a character. Amazing drummer.

[@markmiller7173]

Love the man best drummer ever i get why he was pissed off with the young dude .His choice to leave out certain things that should be respected man.Thanks for the BEAT man...RIP

[@harpharpharpharp1971]

To Hell with artistic temperament. I am a musician of Baker's generation (Saw him many times long before he was with Cream) and an actor but If I thought that being a temperamental unpleasant person is either necessary or justified in order to be an artistic genius of any sort, I would happily live in a world without any of the artistic geniuses I have known, worked with, or enjoyed the performances of. To Hell with them all. It costs nothing to be nice and it is a great investment.

[@GurkoKurdo]

What a legend Ginger is. A true legend

[@TheFacetious1]

Every person that Ginger Baker either plays with or interacts with, receives the benefits thereof. I am amazed how he manages to deal with the general public on his Facebook page. The people I know who follow him there are hoping he doesn't become frustrated and leaves those who enjoy the information without any. Artists at this level never do it like he does and it's certainly understandable why.

[@sclogse1]

I know what Ginger is talking about when he says he was moved to tears listening to Ellington. Ellington Live At Newport--on the second side is Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue. It brought me to tears of ecstasy. It has to be heard to be believed.

[@gromitpesley]

3.33 haha awkward one clap, then I swear he kinda smiles like it made him laugh that no one joined in

[@filtonkingswood]

Genuinely true to himself. A rare being. RIP Ginger.

[@rodmclean2066]

Amazing Eric and Jack put up with him. Talk about wallowing in self pity. He invited him to stay at hs house....... that makes him the most generous man ! He admitted he needed the money that's why he tolerated this guy. Hardly a sow of generosity.

[@10superbelts]

The most important message here is do not mess with drugs. Here's a guy with everything going for him, an idol as a musician and a fantastic media character in his day to rival any anti establishment music movement like Punk etc. I work with heroin addicts and recovering addicts and this guy comes across as a typical product of drug addiction. He may be clean but the mind set is deep. I see a very sad individual who should have been a hero to the end.

[@TheEDZEPPELINBAND]

wow,thanks Lester-you stated this so perfectly that i am almost speechless. thank-you.

[@gangnamstylegrandpa6352]

All I can say is , you gotta love Ginger Baker !

[@charlesnolan7602]

Ginger Baker, icon, fabulous drummer, stay out of swinging range of the cane!

[@Lordofthebass1]

True.Its rock and roll. Nothing else. Ginger, like Charlie Watts were Jazzers from the start, and had those elements in their playing.

[@gusrendell6083]

man, ginger is just a genuinely sad man sometimes.

[@christineayres5339]

He had a lot of fun in the day though i like the part in the movie where he tells about driving a Muscle car in Los Angeles with 3 beutiful women in the car with him it was like a dream and i think thats true of that time the 60,s was a beautiful time Cream Hendrix Zeppelin Elvis,The Beatles The Stones The Who etc etc all around at the same time so much talent in one decade very sad the way the world is today we have lost it all

[@donnaliss7623]

I loved him dearly.

[@clusternest1704]

@@christineayres5339 there are many talents out there just get no possibilities in music biz nowadays.

[@thecinematicmind]

RIP Ginger Baker One insane individual but an all time greatest drummer in Rock.

[@DDios-ih9de]

The Cinematic Mind he wasnt INSANE you foolish ignorant snide idiot He didnt suffer fools gladly Thats for sure You never knew him let alone met him How can you do assuredly say that and insult a person you dont know? I have met Ginger several times in my life here in NYC Nicest man Good guy Very gifted and dedicated I will always remember Ginger Baker with a smile .

[@thecinematicmind]

@@DDios-ih9de Insane is my praise for him in rock and roll. The fools calling him strange are dishonest.

[@mrledhead68]

Creem put the rock into the blues. Paved the way for Sabbath, Zep,Deep purple etc of late 60-70. Ginger was the back bone,that laid the beat for Bonzo, Moon and Micheal Lee (R.I.P) all. Today's music is missing such talents. POUND ON, Mr. Baker.

[@jammerman0101]

I like both of these people .Thanks to this director we got to see Ginger Baker and as he was at the time and lots of interesting stuff . I think Ginger appreciated the company and catharsis the project allowed him to have . I wish my bands had had a Ginger Baker and if I was famous ,retired and full of regrets a director would come around and poke me with questions that made me realize it wasn't over or settled and there was still a punch in the nose to be given lol

[@plasticweapon]

i like ONE of these people. i'll let you guess which one.

[@JM-ll2vv]

Lol, what a crazy Q&A that wouldve been to attend

[@johnedwards2582]

Ginger Baker is a competent musician. A talent that is rarely seen. Yes, he is a complicated man; yet greatly misunderstood.

[@sagiriizumi8079]

Every artist and musician should watch this movie as a guide to how not to behave, why you should avoid drugs and take lessons about working with others

[@845callaway]

An AMAZING documentary, and the ending is just perfect!

[@MitchuII]

The documentary is excellent. You won't regret the time spent.

[@bobbryan4887]

classic Ginger Baker! outstanding!

[@drichard123]

Ginger. Love you. You're a groundbreaking legend. Everyone, give him a break. He's in poor health which could account for his behaviour.

[@geoffpoole483]

Poor health that was largely self-inflicted.

[@thomaskennydrums]

He's been like that since the 60s its not his health

[@davidlatimer3091]

The most honest man in music-

[@NahmakantaCamps]

I don't have to live with the guy. His personal life is nobody's business. He was a fantastic drummer, period.

[@UroboricNate]

Lol i like how that guy used the example of Ginger letting him stay at his house to prove he's the most generous guy in the world, only to hear right after from Ginger's mouth that he just did it for the money.

[@AndyMangele]

True - but it's still a privilege somehow!

[@duppykitoon]

Ginger was a straight shooter!

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

Amazing drum work . Ginger Baker R.I.P :( QC

[@SupernalOne]

Eric & Jack should gift Baker some of their Cream royalties, it would be only fair

[@davidjames81]

you can not help some people . genius musician yes financial wizard no . he would just be back in a hole again. and he is bound to receive royalties from the come back DVD's and CD's he would of made certain of that part of his contract .

[@SupernalOne]

Hobobum true, the comeback shows should save Baker's bacon - I was myself disappointed by Ginger Baker's Air Force - he seemed to fade away doing music nobody wanted to hear

[@SupernalOne]

just finished Beware Mr Baker - wow, yes, he made his own bed, he was his own worst enemy

[@morganfisherart]

As a pro musician may I try to shed some light? Surely Ginger is getting ARTIST royalties as an equal member of the band. That is standard practice for all bands. COMPOSERS royalties are less clear cut - it took Matthew Fisher 40 years to establish that he was due composer's royalties for his organ lines on Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale" - because most composing royalties go to (a) the person who wrote the chords and melody and (b) the person who wrote the lyrics - neither of which Ginger did, I gather. So it is wrong to assume he is getting NO royalties from Cream sales. He must be getting royalties as an artist, although not as a composer unless he actually wrote a melody or lyrics. I believe The Who got round this problem by splitting the composing royalties between the entire band, at least for a while - a very generous gesture by Pete Townshend.

[@SupernalOne]

morganfisherart aha, thank you, it is nice to know this - and I may say, Baker created all his own problems after Cream, if the recent documentary is at all accurate - but one wishes him well

[@thatsmyrail]

I think people give him too much shit. He may very well be an ass, but he's also a product of is environment. And we also don't know what demons haunt him, in terms of mental illness etc.

[@fitzrite]

yes, he aint quite right in the head.

[@ggmoo]

I watched this documentary yesterday in Barcelona. I really enjoyed it. It is very powerful. Its power lies in Ginger Baker. The film's director did a good job putting all the material together. In the Q & A though, I have to say the director seems like he's a phony. I mean Ginger is hilarious throughout the documentary with his comments and cursing. But the director just seems to be riding on his tails here. Bulger looks like he's in the school yard acting like he's tough.

[@citicat2]

He does (in the film) bring up an interesting point about royalties, and how in bands that make music based on freestyle playing the writers still get all the publishing rights.

[@sgdeluxedoc]

Oh jeez I can so relate, as a freestyle guitarist myself.. or a "jam" guitarist.. the only money is in lyrics.

[@comentadu]

Except for a vocalist in Dark Side of the Moon that made like 6 million pounds

[@danielescanaba596]

Great movie. Thanks for making it. Ginger Baker.

[@Lordofthebass1]

If we hadn't have had guys like Baker, Moon, Bonham,( Senior and junior) Mitch Mitchell ,Neil Peart etc what would we have?.......... Lars Ulrich, Thats what! Respect Ginger His legacy speaks for itself.

[@james96517]

ginger is the best, the way he is relaxed when playing, a top film too

[@TheSamara89kitten]

He was INSANEly genius :-)

[@jamesheath7601]

RIP legend fantastic drummer

[@precbsfender]

Ginger Baker in my opinion is by far the best rock, jazz drummer of all times...although he's been portrayed as a MAD MAN that maybe true but Ginger also never beats around the bush. Ginger obviously speaks his mind and if it hurts someone's feelings SO BE IT..

[@CHUCKLOVES1969]

bummer to see and hear this, but at least he's still f*king alive, after all he's done. one night after Cream's 1st album came out and blew our minds, we simply walked-up and got tickets for about $3, to go see them inthe Whiskey a Go-Go in LA. i stood right in front about 8 feet away from Gingers bass drums, Clapton on my right, Bruce to the left. they did the whole album and we left knowing we had seen and heard something historical. The public caught on soon after, as pure genius often does.

[@chrischocolaad9319]

Thank you for posting!

[@carlcushmanhybels8159]

Ono of those people who is easier to love and admire if one doesn't have to be with him often or long.

[@Woozler554]

Ginger Baker always has been, and always will be, one of the oddest guys in rock.

[@alliecatramirez]

This makes me cry every time

[@Springfeeeel3]

Legend and bad ass

[@KodakKid]

I appreciate the beautifully articulate comments that you left on my channel but I still stand by my comment. Just because Ginger doesn't possess the technical talents of the drummers that you might have worked with, this really doesn't matter within the true definition of music - creativity that produces great songs. I put Baker in the same box as Tony Allen (Fela Kuti) - a wonderfully creative drummer. You can call me a "troll" if you like but I am a musician/audio engineer/producer by trade.

[@lauriebluesguy]

Ginger was a very strange human being, as the film shows - he was one of the world's greatest ever drummers but sadly not the world's greatest human being. BUT ask yourself why we should expect him to be? - He is what he is, a great drummer who worked with some amazing people and played some of the greatest drum tracks ever heard. No more and no less. I often wonder if Ginger would have been a greater person if he stayed clean and put off starting a family and thought of friendships in the way that others did. A great performer who seemed a little bitter in his later years, but it all seemed to be bitterness that stemmed from problems of his own making.

[@Gregorypeckory]

Just want to emphasize that I don't know anything about the man's behavior, and I am a big fan of his playing; his talent is undeniable, which is the only thing I know for sure about him.

[@Acducec]

They should have set up the Lazy Boy chair for this would have been Classic 😂

[@noelmurray1]

Let's see what you're like at 80!

[@ThefightingCelt]

I cannot wait to see this film.

[@nottmfunguy]

The director left Hawkwind out because of his music taste, I am not so sure that is the reason. It would have been interesting what Hawkwind's Dave Brock would have said about Ginger Bakers brief appearance in the band and I am sure it would not have been very flattering.

[@kevinr.3542]

nottmfunguy what transpired exactly? something tells me it probably doesn't involve him being the nicest guy.. interesting how honest he is regarding why he did the documentary and why he joined Hawkwind in the first place: needed money.

[@nottmfunguy]

I guess getting sacked from the band didn't help his financial fortunes. Typically he did what he has always done, destroyed anything he had good going at the time. Story of his life

[@neonskyline1]

It wouldn't be hard to get sacked from Hawkwind i can assure you, the Band Kicked off by sacking the engine first, Lemmy, Ginger's brief stint in The Band lifted it back up, after that the Band was subjected to infinite sonic distruction.

[@bent2]

He took too much space in the band. Music journalists referred to the band as Ginger Baker's Hawkwind. He also wanted the band to cut down on the lighting during concerts. Which made no sense since that is a huge part of their live show. What broke the straw was that he wanted to get rid of the bass player since he didn't like his playing. One cue being that he joined in on Baker's drum solo during performances. So the bass player was told by the band to tell Ginger he was fired from the band.