Ginger Baker Interview

By MARGE PETTYJOHN “I don't think we play blues much in this band,” commented the sharp English voice on the other end of the line. “It's an influence surely, but ours is more the music of today. wouldn't ‘agree with anyone who called us 1 blues band. The voice, calling from Los Angeles, belonged to Ginger Baker, the wiry, friery-haired drummer of Cream (“leave the ‘the’ off," he instructed), ‘The British trio has, inthe last year, become somewhat of & phenomenon to American music fans, Without the benefit ofa hit record, they came tothe States ‘and packed concert halls, They ‘were prime instigators in ¢b- tablishing what is termed “progressive rock” and the ons- aught on underground (or hheavy music, whichever you prefer) radio stations born of its popularity. Rock reviewers and writers hhave consistently called Cream blues band, but yeanold Baker (the oldest ofthe three) is quick to discard that label. Although he credits Cream with a “revolution” in contemporary music, he's insistent on not being put in one. musical “Sure, the music's different, But it's not real biues, I never said that. Really, Fli Pp Side Cream Spokesman Discards Blues Tag sic is how we feel when be play it, 1's more of a feeling than a name, AT PRESENT, Cream ison a 1Scity farewell tour ofthe Uni ed States which will bring the trio to Dallas Friday for an 8 pm, coocert at Memorial Audi- ion ‘sponsored by Concerts Baker, although he admits he's thé most reticent of the three, talked with ut Tuesday ‘bout Cream, its separation, the {farewell tour and what he could see of the future, ‘The reasons given forthe split were their individual desires to move in new musical directions, “We didn't, in actual fact, de cide anything,” he pointed out, “Last time we were in Texas T talked about splitting from the roup. “T can't say what we'll each do. As for myself, I don't even know. I'l just wait and see, “T'm glad that we announced it before the tour. It's made this trip to the Stes the best one ever and the tour's really been great. “WE'RE GOING to mike some more records, though, We've recorded some numbers from this tour for one, And we plan to do another in the stu- io." Does this mean another 2re- cord blockbuster like “Wheels of Fire?” “Maybe,” he speculated “T don't know. We might have ‘enough for five more records.” Because of their versatility, originality and virtuosity, traces of Baker, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce can be found in a large portion of rock groups today. ‘The Clapton imitators are le- gion, and most of them admit the source and inspiration of their playing is Cream's lead guitarist, largely unaware of Creams kind of music (call it what you will) and Baker isnot only ‘aware of the trio’s influence, but points out that they were solely responsible for instituting that sound, “WE LET the cat cut of the bag,” he tried to explain, using some sort of analogy. “‘And now ‘everyone's copying us, even when they can't do what we do, “For our type of music you have to be able to play your in- strument—really play it, not just read a few notes or copy someone else, This is a God-given skill you're bom with, T think, Tt can’t be learned, “So no one can really copy us, They're just trying. It's OK, 1 guess, but I'd rather see them be themselves and do their own thing that they ean do well What about Jimi Hendrix? “We're friends, you under- stand,” said Baker, “We dig Timi’s band just as much as he Ginger Baker: “ ever Cream has done for contemporary music it's done well.” digs ours. But he got it trom us. fe had been together about two weeks and Jimi came and listened to-us one day. Then two weeks later he bad his own band and was doing his own thing, but with our music. And if you say he brought it here (to the States) first—well, he just came home and brought it with him.” AND WHAT about Cream's ame, one of the most tersely escriptive names in the business, Could it just as well have been the Electric Ego Times ‘Three? Well, yes, admitted Baker ho- nestly. “It came about as an ego trip. We were all very well known in and around London ‘when we were in other groupe. “One day after we got together and played for a couple of hours, we talked about joining ‘up’and thought ofthe name as a joke, We really laughed about it! But it fits, And now that they Are skimming themselves off the top of the business, i'l be quite ‘while before another group rises that high in that manner without abit of Cream in

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