Jack Bruce & Ginger Baker on Letterman, February 9, 1990 (stereo)

[@Weird_Old_Uncle_Kenny]

Hard to believe they're both gone now. RIP Jack & Ginger. So glad they finally reunited with Eric Clapton 15 years later. Thanks for sharing!

[@Samsgarden]

People say strange things. There's nothing more certain in life than death

[@gregholman2431]

I'll be honest, it is reasonably amazing that Ginger, in particular, lived as long as he did. That said, it is quite clear and obvious that Jack had considerable health-issues, as well, over the years. But, it seems that Ginger, especially, dove and delved pretty hard over many years into the real, very wild rock-star lifestyle. Rest in peace, to both Jack and Ginger.

[@seanfagan4996]

Fuck Clapton jack and ginger were cream. Hendrix neutered Eric Clapton One Day in England

[@TS-qq7vr]

Eric Clapton died too?

[@hernansalto-dumbattemptracing]

@@TS-qq7vr He talked about the Cream reunion in 2005

[@jjkerwin4677]

What they did here on Letterman was fantastic. Jack and Ginger were spot-on. The reunion tour in 2005, with Ginger at age 66, however was stellar. These men will never be forgotten for their contributions to music.

[@Nicholas-dreamlove]

You're right man. Being a bass player, I can tell you this; Jack Bruce is first rate.

[@philbrown1474]

I saw the reunion at Madison Square Garden in Nov 2005. It was fantastic.

[@timhoovermusicman]

​@@Nicholas-dreamlovenot being a player of anything I agree with you😊

[@gerrett108]

Why was Eric not there I wonder

[@TheJonathanNewton]

So great to see these two old antagonists happy, healthy, vibrant, and having fun together. That’s how I’d like to remember them. Rest in pAce, Jack and Ginger, and thanks for all the inspiration you brought us.

[@soarornor]

It was nice to see Ginger and Jack looking so happy. Ginger was surprisingly amiable and genuinely looked like he was having fun. Good vibe all around.

[@JosephScott-ct9sw]

Thanks Don Giller

[@prajnachan333]

My 33rd birthday that year- and I have the pleasure of hearing it all this years later! Epic. 🎉 🕉 2024 I'm the biggest Cream fan.

[@ancientmetalguyauerbach8808]

Thanks Don Giller . Priceless stuff man . Loved Dave for the time we had him in Australia . Jack oh man Jack what a prince . My Gold Standard for Bassist / Vocalist just a Legend and my best ever . Cheers from The Ancient Metal Guy .

[@davidtaylor6613]

Nice to see them together. And Ginger behaved himself. Thanks for putting this together.

[@lazur1]

That's gotta be the most polite version of Ginger Baker ever.

[@stantonmcgroarty7862]

They tranked him!

[@secondcomingofbast9908]

Too bad he wasted it on a fucking piece of shit like David Letterman

[@bigblu54]

“ and gentleman as well “. They had Paul fooled 😏

[@rodneylee4026]

Not really. Watch his interactions with Jack Bruce and the comments he makes to him during the interview.

[@rogertrujillo7423]

Hey, don’t mess with Mr Baker!

[@rcjward]

Where does the time go? These guys looked so young in 1990. Life is indeed short.

[@martymartin2894]

True we all forget that this was nearly 30yrs ago.

[@zombywoof9188]

Ginger looked young?

[@damon6852]

Andrew Wilson I couldn’t have said it better myself!!!

[@Jaggedknife11]

Ya and this was 22-24 tears after they played together in Cream. They weren't young here either.

[@aarongoff1111]

Jack was about 47 when he performed on this program.

[@MrFchank]

Real musicians playing real music. So different from the garbage of today!!

[@brianyatman4802]

You must be going to the wrong gigs

[@rc2464]

What an honor for any musician to play with legends like Jack & Ginger.

[@aaronalter2000]

Thank you for editing and posting this amazing video!

[@earlcampbell8927]

“Beware of Mr Baker” What a great documentary 👍🏼 Must see! Ol’ Ginger was a helluva character, quite fond of his own talent, and not exactly pleased with his critics *Thank you Don Giller, nice video!

[@earlcampbell8927]

Wish I could see the drum solo Dave mentioned; but there’s plenty of video of Ginger’s playing👍🏼

[@dongiller]

Wish I had it. Maybe in time I will.

[@loilt5091]

Those musical excerpts, coming in & out of commercials are such a tease…that so-called rhythm section’s absolutely phenomenal‼️

[@abc456f]

Letterman's band was the best late night band ever. They could play with anyone.

[@KokoTheGorilla69]

It's really fantastic that you upload these timely videos so quickly! We all really appreciate it, thanks man!

[@otineb5]

That's what made the late Jack Bruce, and late Ginger Baker so special, because they were both excellent musicians. They were super tight on this number, I have to get this album and hopefully it's still available. May both of their souls rest in eternal peace.

[@Steve.Cutler]

I saw this tour in Okland CA at the omni. A hair/spandex band called Enoughs enough, was set to open for Jack. When we arrived at the venue early we were checking at the box office and there was a note on the window that said Jack had canceled the hair band and in their place, he was going to play 2 sets. One set of Cream music and one set of his solo stuff. It was an amazing night. I was 10 feet from Jack the whole night. And that night flew by. He played about 2 and a half hours and it felt like 30 minutes. It was THAT good. One of the best shows I've EVER been to.

[@mrJimCharles]

When i saw them it was the same thing, Jack's band played first, then.withoit closing a curtain in full.view of everyone they took down Jack's drummer's kit and put up Ginger's and tuned it with a tuner I recall, then the Cream set

[@thecandyman9308]

A rare occasion where after the show you walk up to the ticket office and ask to pay again. 😄

[@usefulvidiots7869]

Amazing bass lines. Amazing, unique drum tones and fills. Both masters.

[@MozTheBoz]

I'm actually having a Primus/Les Claypool vibe on the song

[@toddmayer6859]

So glad I came across this video. Jack & Ginger seemed to be getting along great here. God bless them both. Rest in peace guys .... thanks for the great music

[@markbowles2382]

Thanks Don Giller .... I have little use for Letterman although he definitely had great musicians, anyway, thank you so much for cutting out all the talk BS and let us enjoy watching some old schoolers go at it - I cant believe Ginger was so cool but dave knew he better not pull his chain too hard and get through quick - and Jack Bruces' bass always great - never saw this before but thank you so much (again) for your editing and upload!

[@johnmontagnamusic]

I watched this when it was originally aired, and have my own VHS copy somewhere; thanx for making it that much easier to find today (and in stereo)!

[@Darryl6636]

Thanks for posting that Don I really enjoyed watching those 2 legends perform

[@vividwatch47]

"Hey Now Princess" was a song by Bruce that never made it on a studio album by Cream but is available on Cream's "Those Were The Days" 4 C.D. set. R.I.P. to a master bassist who could get chords out of an electric bass guitar better than anyone else and a master drummer who could beat the hell out of those skins.

[@pabloperez4063]

True . And amazing

[@johnnapier8192]

Interestingly Ginger was not a hard hitter. He used size 7 drumsticks (light and thin). He coaxed that thunderous sound from his kit by good tuning and striking the part of the batter head best suited. Oh, and those double bass drum patterns and rolls!

[@aurelianabolognesi8272]

Ho sentito il pezzo originale e sono rimasta basita, sembravano gli Arctic Monkey. Ma quanto erano avanti!?!

[@HonkyReduction-b2g]

Ginger Baker's drum parts on Hey Now, Princess are fantastic.

[@terrier53]

Thanks for putting this video up, Don.

[@Davethreshold]

THANK YOU Don Giller! I see your VCR had a flying Erase Head! Their reunion was out of this world. I swear I thought they were better during that reunion show than ever before. I have TONS of stuff like this recorded on SVHS, with twice the res. of VHS, but All my machines don't work anymore.

[@johnrose2976]

Thanks for posting, that was great. I saw that tour in Chicago.

[@lonestardude6283]

Love this! Pre cell phones and computers for the most part! If you wanted to watch David Letterman, (and we all did) you had to stay up to do it! Thanks for posting this!

[@Mr05Chuck]

Lone Star Dude back before he went off the deep end politically.

[@mikespongili8254]

Nah, you could program your VCR to tape it. If you could figure out how to do that without recording the wrong channel lol

[@mrJimCharles]

And sleep in school the next morning lol!!

[@iangreenhalgh9280]

Ginger's playing on this track is just awesome

[@rolfh]

AMAZING clip, perfectly edited thank you for posting!

[@MrFchank]

I saw Jack and Ginger with a young guitarist named Blue Saraceno( hope I spelled it right) in 1990 at the Boathouse in Norfolk, VA. They played all Cream material and it was fantastic

[@mrJimCharles]

Blues not Blue but otherwise correct

[@Allan-et5ig]

Immediately after the broadcast, Ginger threw Jack through a record store window. Kidding. RIP to both of those amazing musicians.

[@DanielAquarian]

🤪

[@FL8mileshigh1]

Ginger and Jack sounded good and in top form. I'm glad Dave called them over to have a chat. They are truly rock icons. RIP guys.

[@bunnybgood411]

I wishvit had been a longer chat.

[@debbieramsey-hanks3757]

Still astonished by this episode. True musicians. Thank you

[@craigalden54]

And 15 years after this, Cream did indeed reunite in 2005 for the live shows in London and New York.... Thankfully beyond words for those of us who had dreamed of more music being created by Bruce, Clapton and Baker, literally going back to 'Goodbye Cream' in 1969.

[@franktheo2055]

Insane !!!!!! It's crazy from the time Letterman aired on NBC in the 1980's through the 1990's I'd tune in to late night and I see guys like Eric Clapton or Ron Wood, Lou Reed ETC playing in the band. I'd tune in and say hey that guy looks like Clapton playing with Paul Shaffer and sure enough after squinting my eye's for a minute and I'd say oh shit that is Clapton on stage on Letterman ! Live on Late Night had the best musical legends guest appear live on stage playing with Paul Shaffer and his band. Great Posting ! Jack and Ginger RIP.

[@ChromeDestiny]

The Letterman theme with pounding Ginger Baker drums is a real trip.

[@leh3827]

What a charge seeing ginger and Bruce again,although post mortem it is a charge. They were touring together; they weren't always fighting. Neat song had me grooving.

[@robertdevoy3119]

Many years ago, after Jack Bruce had worked with some of the best drummers in the business, he was asked in an interview who was the best drummer he ever worked with. He said it was Ginger Baker.

[@melodymakermark]

He had to say that, due to being afraid Ginger would ride a polo horse up from Africa and kick his ass.

[@brewzky9208]

Even Neil Peart said Ginger was best ever.

[@tonyvincent9753]

Jack worked with the likes of Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, Simon Philips and Gary Husband among others.

[@jimmycain8669]

Duh

[@manjay49]

Only Ginger could make brushes sound like three separate drummers in total sync. Not a back beat in site, only uses cymbals when required, has the arrangement down, never steps on the lyrics, completely different guitar solo part, nails the ending . The tune starts at @117 BPM and Ginger *stays in the pocket* the whole time. As Eric said: Ginger is a Complete Musician.

[@manjay49]

Oooooo, So sorry. Yes. Average no more no less. I am wrong so much these days on the interweb. Thanks again for correcting me again. Maybe I should submit my musings directly to you for approval.

[@dreadpirateroberts4052]

MorbidManMusic....you are a complete moron.... 100% more.....nothing less.

[@dreadpirateroberts4052]

Are they brushes he is playing with?

[@slickrockcreek1]

Yes, yes, Ginger was a true original. No one else would have even thought to play that song the way he did - like you said, not a backbeat in sight and his time was of course flawless. Former jazz drummer and expert on African rhythms, he was truly one of a kind.

[@pierrepetry5734]

outstanding performance from Ginger!Idiots who said that he was overrated should watch this!

[@frankfeldman6657]

He was a thumper/banger.

[@pierrepetry5734]

@@frankfeldman6657 ?

[@dougg1075]

Somebody actually said he was overrated?

[@pierrepetry5734]

@@dougg1075 Yes Doug!A many morons here on You Tube!Look at the answer i get today!Some say that a 3 year old kid can do what he did!So....

[@iseeolly9959]

@@frankfeldman6657 Yep, not that good.

[@Salopian_mumbles]

After returning to the UK from serving in Afghanistan my girlfriend surprised me with tickets to see one of the reunion concerts at the Albert Hall. It was a dream come true for me to witness the three musicians that without question for me are the best on their fields and. No other drummer comes close to Ginger and as an accomplished jazz drummer myself I always ask myself "what would Ginger do?" Whilst thinking ahead when improvising. Any musician would tell you that Jack was one of the greatest bass players to ever pick up a bass. Then there was Clapton or "God" people who don't know what they are talking about say Hendrix was better. There is no doubt that Hendrix was amazing at what he did. But he could only play that way. Clapton on the other hand (although after initially being fearfully loyal to the blues and refusing to play anything else) has a much larger repertoire than Hendrix and has a knowledge of chord shapes that most guitarist don't know exist. Hendrix was the best at what he did. But Clapton is a better player all round.

[@noahschmartz2354]

about time someone said that , tho i love both of them.

[@johnnapier8192]

Ginger's innate sense of 'time' can be seen by his hi-hat going like a metronome through most of each number. Many drummers these days neglect the hi-hat, only using it for accents and occasional timekeeping. Ginger blended old-school jazz discipline with a polyrhythmic African overlay!

[@nonamejames5674]

Those two were so heavy. Probably the greatest rhythm section ever. It's like on the show nothing is working except when the focus is on them, esp when they are playing. The monologue, jokes & the interviews are all just filler.... Bruce & Baker = Pure Power.

[@jamesfeldman4234]

I was underage when Cream first came to the States in the late 1960s and even though I had waited in line for hours at the original Electric Factory in Philadelphia, my fake ID didn't get me in like it did when the Jimi Hendrix Experience performed there months earlier. That was a great disappointment for me. So when Jack and Ginger came to the States again during this same tour in 1990 as this Letterman show gig, I made sure not to miss them. We waited for hours in the freezing cold, but we were close to front of the line. Finally, we made it inside the toasty smallish theater and our seats were at front stage, with Ginger and Jack only feet away from me. We had a blast and gave all the musicians a standing ovation at the close. It was a long wait to see them, but even without Eric, the music was terrific and the magic was still there. Paul McCartney was right when he said recently something like, “Sad to hear that Ginger died but the memories never will."

[@bonzo]

Jesus that's absolutely amazing man, what was it like seeing Hendrix play live? Any chance you ever seen Zeppelin live?

[@spercoco]

@Jean D And what is it that you're smokin' jack?

[@chiappettamark]

i was there (the two times) at Cooz's Corner and then downtown at the Trocodera?

[@damon6852]

One by one, everyone I find interesting passes on...rest well, Ginger!

[@andydixon2980]

I'm not dead yet, and i'm quite interesting, you just havent met me.

[@damon6852]

Andy Dixon I live in Phoenix if you’re close by we can meet up

[@andydixon2980]

@@damon6852 Sure, i'll pop over for a coffee. I'm just down the road. Poole, UK.

[@damon6852]

Andy Dixon Hey Andy...thanks for responding...Consider it an open invitation if you ever get across the big pond in the future!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

A Question Of Time - still have my vinyl copy - a fine album, with some superb bass playing

[@RonCarterBassist]

Good music simply stays with us!

[@jorgedelacadena4963]

Only Erick remain alive no more Cream reunion i was so happy when they reunited in 2005 great performance

Clapton held it off until the money got irresistable. Great guitarist but a greedy prick of a person.

[@driftkrinsky6537]

Might be the best sounding close of the NBC days. Thanks for sharing.

[@dongiller]

There are better. :)

[@Charleybones]

Baker is really grooving on those drums: double foot pedals and banging those tom toms. Symbols are just an afterthought for Ginger's style of playing. AS for Jack, playing complicated base lines and singing at the same time seems to come so easy to him. These two were the heart of Cream, and Clapton's guitar work was just the psychological sprinkle on top.

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

*cymbals

[@Charleybones]

@@sgt.thundercok4704 Thanks Sgt. - Dumb grammar mistake.

[@bimmjim]

Letterman was the best thing on TV. I got a VHS machine just record him.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

Man, Paul and Sid got to play with Jack and Ginger. That must have been a high point.

[@melodymakermark]

I’m guessing Sid remembers it more fondly than muffing I’m No Angel with Gregg Allman.

[@DarkEliteEric]

Thanks DomZ. Helps fill in the whole. Jack's hair... WHOA!

[@blakkat4126]

Well, it was just coming out of the 80s...mullets were still big. Just rollin' with the times, I guess.

[@rjh1226]

Seeing Cream 15-16 years ago may have been the greatest Concert I’ve ever attended. I saw them at MSG

[@ElviraSongalla]

Thanks you share stay connected

[@kayimc3506]

I love Ginger so much, it is so good to see this and see his smile. What an awesome guy who loved to bang on a drum

[@acegibson9533]

clearly you never met the man.

[@gutterdandy9173]

@Jean D He had his bad days for sure.....but he was never less than interesting.

[@drlecter8145]

RIP Great Ones..See you around the net dream!

[@Michael-nf1ej]

Saw Jack and Ginger at Hammerjacks in Baltimore 4 days before this show, the old Cream numbers were getting a better reception than his new stuff causing Jack to storm off stage and knock his amps over! It was Great!! The tix were $5.00!

[@danpolseno9728]

Thats the longest ever ive seen Ginger go without a cigarette. Lol

[@Richard-mh5ll]

His mom owned a tobacco store so cigs were always in his life

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Super cool to have these two on the show. I don't remember this episode. Thanks Don.

[@stephenhensley5631]

For two guys that hated each other supposedly, they sure ended up with each other allot . And sounded great !

[@mragunathan1627]

They didnt "hate" each other, they just didnt get along well as creative partners.

[@iseeolly9959]

Surprising what a big wad of cash can do !

[@jamesbowen8960]

They were like brothers.

[@gutterdandy9173]

More like love/hate. When Jack died, Ginger was at the funeral, and played a tribute to him.

[@josephtravers777]

@@gutterdandy9173 that was a beautiful thing to see. He played a great solo for Jack after having heart surgery. All the haters need to go watch that.

[@gregnewman2512]

"Beware of Mr. Baker," is a great documentary.

[@Richard-mh5ll]

Yes it is! I bet 90% of the people commenting have never watched it. Ginger was technically one of the best drummers ever!

[@ericcook4665]

that's awsome mister baker was in a good mood that night him and jack were shining golden lol

[@slimsantilli4476]

Cream was big in 1967-68ish ... so this letterman show was 22 years later. And now 32 years after this airing. Life is short. Go do that thing you have been holding off on.

[@soarornor]

Man, that guitarist in Letterman’s band was on fire. Great solo. Even Paul was flying on this.

[@dongiller]

Sid McGinnis.

[@deadlyoneable]

1990……cream had disbanded just 22 years before. It’s been 34 years since this broadcast. Really puts time in perspective.

[@lalamusicgirl1]

They hated each other. Amazing that they got together to play anything. lol

[@4ctmam]

Not quite, they had their ups and downs. Ginger actually played on the studio version of this song (along with another track) on this album of Jack's.

[@nesgimp6099]

Money makes things tolerable don’t be fooled it’s money.

[@onlyjoetee]

Maybe hated is too slrong a word,annoyed each other a bit sometimes perhaps better describes it 😂

[@gutterdandy9173]

They didn't hate each other. Love/hate, maybe. But both sides were there.

[@GenX...MCMLXV]

they hated each like the Glimmer Twins and those two old Bastards are still playing music together............

[@charlesseiderman29]

Thanks for that memory

[@geekay1349]

this was the best intro to the Letterman show

[@toring61_52]

Excellent to see and hear two finest musicians from Cream. (BLT)

[@vaneipontes3279]

Jack Bruce / Ginger Baker "R.I.P"

[@massapower]

Great STEREO SOUND 😎👍🏻

[@charlesdigennaro4981]

Fantastic. 2 of rock n rolls real musicians. RIP

[@michaelmamp9096]

I always liked Letterman better when he was on NBC. Great seeing Jack Bruce & 🎉Ginger Baker together !!

[@CookieCaspari]

I used to LOVE this show!

[@syn814]

この二人がクラプトン抜きで共演するなんて、本当に感動ものです。なんだかんだ言ってお互いのプレイには敬意を払っていたのでしょう。鬼籍に入られましたが、天国では仲良く演奏し、クリーム再結成の時を待っていてください。ご冥福をお祈りいたします。

[@jbratt]

Top ten list, How to fill that extra minute, “show the Mike Tyson Buster Douglas fight twice”...list was aired two days before the fight. Didn’t quite work out that way 😂

[@gregpeller1499]

I love the MCs opening line: ' call ahead and we'll set someone up to rob you right at the airport.....' Lol.... every show I waited for the opening lines from the MC cuz it was always ridiculously funny!

[@thebourbonscene845]

Man you have so many letterman episodes. Everytime I watch one, it's on your KZbin lol

[@dongiller]

Thanks. I have all of them.

[@thebourbonscene845]

@@dongiller I appreciate you putting them up buddy, I grew up watching letterman and it's so great to see em on KZbin. I have looked everywhere for dvds but I can't find anything like that. So this is perfect

[@IloveOtherPplsMsry]

The amazing thing is they got through this show without trying to kill each other

[@classicguitarfan8]

I remember seeing this live. Letterman was so on top of his game at this point - funny, positive... He was ready for Johnny's spot. It's a shame, he was never the same....

[@wolfedavid3700]

I am jack bruce fan...………….RIP...….

[@josephgorelick3709]

its a disgrace all these amazing performances can not be on BluRay or at least DVD.

[@Saturday8pm]

“… Bringdown” is a good one. Saw this tour at Toad’s Place. GREAT show.

[@randyacuna3248]

All I can say is wow! Baker and Bruce are incredible. What a treat to view this performance. Too bad Eric is absent but it's still great.

[@johnknow4097]

Saw them both when they played with the late and great Graham Bond Organisation at the Corn Exchange, Newbury in 1960 something, funny really because Eric Clapton at that time was a member of our local Basingstoke Galaxy clubs resident band, John Mayalls Bruesbreakers. We didn't realise then that one day they would link up and create Cream.

[@JamesMinerTattoo]

“Video club” with only weekend at bernies left? Damn. Times were hard.

[@larry45044]

the best !!

[@wbiro]

I was thinking, 'Wouldn't it be great if Jack and Ginger joined the house band in the beginning...' nice editing, putting it all together...

[@robpelick7460]

One of the best of Letterman

[@briancaterino2479]

that was outstanding. Ginger was a very creative drummer

[@Bobby007D]

please bring back Letterman , & Jack Bruce And Ginger baker !!!

[@rickblackers88]

I bought the album back at that time, great album by the way.

[@peterbadore1338]

I remember seeing this when it first aired. Interesting they included "Do What You Like" in the repertoire.

[@TheRobWay1]

Everyone on stage is a legend. I always knew that Sid McGinnis was a great player, but I don’t think I fully understood how great he was at the time. That was an amazing solo

[@TheRobWay1]

@@dongiller fixed !

[@lhcarter]

Shaffer is in his glory, playing with 2/3 of Cream.

[@grahamhowes6904]

Jack and Ginger used to fight all the time. Ginger was naturally grumpy. A friend of mine met Ginger on some stairs: “Get out of my f’ing way or I’ll push you downstairs!’

[@andrewcowin3815]

Amazing that after all Ginger Baker went through, he hadn't lost a beat. And, Jack Bruce ... I can't put my finger on it, but there's something unique in his vocals.

[@tefenstrat]

Time is a MF. I can not belive they are both gone now...They sounded wonderful here with the tonight show band. I can tell you how happy I was that they did do a reunion with Eric. It was so good.

[@dongiller]

The Tonight Show band?

[@GaryGrotegeers]

Miss old Letterman shows. No one late night has the comedy as then.