Two rock icons from the 60s and 70s have celebrated birthdays yesterday and today (August 20th) First, yesterday rock drummer Ginger Baker celebrated his 78th birthday and today Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin fame celebrates his 69th birthday
Ginger Baker (August 19, 1939)
From Wikipedia
Peter Edward “Ginger” Baker (born 19 August 1939) is an English drummer, best known as the founder of the rock band Cream.[1] Baker’s work in the 1960s earned him praise as “rock’s first superstar drummer”, although his individual style melded a jazz background with his interest in African rhythms. Baker is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Cream and is widely considered one of the most influential drummers of all time, recognised by his induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2008,[2] and his induction into the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2016.[3] Baker is credited as a pioneer of drumming in genres like jazz fusion, heavy metal and world music Read More
I always say to my sons whenever we hear a drummer solo – “Well it’s good, but it’s no “Toad”. “Toad” is Baker’s 14-17 minute plus drum solo that can be found on Cream’s Wheels of Fire album. While Cream disbanded after 2 years., their impact has been felt throughout the history of rock. After Cream Baker joined one of the first super-groups. He teamed with Eric Clapton, Stevie Winwood and Rich Grech to form Blind Faith Blind Faith was another short-lived band. From Wikipedia
After briefly working with Clapton in Blind Faith and leading Ginger Baker’s Air Force, Baker spent several years in the 1970s living and recording in Africa, often with Fela Kuti, in pursuit of his long-time interest in African music.[5] Among Baker’s other collaborations are his work with Gary Moore, Masters of Reality, Public Image Ltd, Atomic Rooster, Bill Laswell, jazz bassist Charlie Haden, jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, and another personally led effort, Ginger Baker’s Energy.
Robert Plant ( August 20, 1948)
Robert Plant is maybe the most recognizable voices in the history of rock music Consider the following from Wikipedia
Plant is regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock and roll; he has influenced fellow rock singer-songwriters such as Freddie Mercury, Axl Rose and Chris Cornell. In 2006, Heavy Metal magazine Hit Parader named Plant the “Greatest Metal Vocalist of All Time”. In 2009, Plant was voted “the greatest voice in rock” in a poll conducted by Planet Rock. In 2008, Rolling Stone editors ranked him number 15 on their list of the 100 best singers of all time. In 2011, Rolling Stone readers ranked Plant the greatest of all lead singers ! Read More
I know that when you listened to that first Led Zeppelin album WAY back in 1969, you knew you were listening to something special!
Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of Ginger Baker and Robert Plant
| Ginger Baker | Website |
| Robert Plant | Website |
How about a short playlist to celebrate the days and the men?? And of course the songs must be from the 60s!!
