In 1970, Ginger Baker, one of the most famous rock drummers in the world, loaded a Land Rover and drove from Algeria across the Sahara to Nigeria. He had one goal: to play African drums with African musicians.
Baker had become famous as the drummer of Cream, the rock trio with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce, and then Blind Faith. His long solo on Cream’s “Toad” was one of the first extended drum solos on a rock record. He had long admired African rhythm, first introduced to it by the English jazz drummer Phil Seamen, and he had met Nigerian drummers in London in the 1960s.
Lagos
In Lagos, Baker found a thriving music scene. He became friends with Fela Kuti, whose Afrobeat was taking shape with the drummer Tony Allen. Baker played with Fela, and they recorded together, including the album Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Africa ’70 with Ginger Baker: Live!, released in 1971.
Baker was deeply impressed by Tony Allen’s drumming. The two played together, and Baker was among the first Western musicians to champion Allen’s style.
ARC Studios
Baker built ARC Studios in Ikeja, Lagos, one of the first modern multitrack recording studios in Nigeria. He hoped to create a centre for African music. The studio faced business problems and disputes, and Baker eventually left Nigeria, but it was used by musicians during its time.
Salt
Baker formed a band called Salt, with Nigerian musicians, and toured, including a performance at the Munich Olympic Games festivities in 1972.
The documentary
The 2012 documentary Beware of Mr. Baker, directed by Jay Bulger, told the story of Baker’s life, including his African years, his drive across the Sahara and his friendship with Fela. It also showed his volatile personality.
Later years
Baker lived in several countries, including South Africa, where he played polo and continued to perform. He died in England in October 2019, aged 80, after years of health problems.
Legacy
Baker’s African journey was part of a wider movement of Western musicians engaging with African music in the 1970s. His respect for Fela and Tony Allen helped draw attention to Afrobeat outside Africa.
He drove across a desert to find the rhythm he had heard in his head. In Lagos, he found drummers who were already playing it.
