Ginger Baker: ‘Gary Moore Needs A Psychiatrist’
Legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker says playing with Gary Moore “finished rock’n’roll for me”.
In an interview in the latest issue of Classic Rock, Baker calls Moore “the Pampered Pompadour Of Pop”, reckons his playing is “contrived” and says he once recommended that the six-stringer should see a psychiatrist.
In 1994, Baker linked up with Moore and Cream bassist Jack Bruce to form a band called BBM. (See what they did there?)
“The sessions we did delighted everyone,” Ginger recalls, “even though he [Bruce] was acting like my boss again and treating me as a session player.
“A tour was suggested; I’d get £50,000 a gig. What I didn’t realise was that Gary Moore was playing so loud that he blew his ears – just as Jack had done to me. More gigs were cancelled than played. And they were awful anyway.
“Unlike Cream, everything with Gary Moore was contrived. Every solo he played was the same. I like to improvise.
“Unbeknown to me they organised a rehearsal at Brixton Academy, and when I got there I could hear Gary Moore’s guitar outside on the street. We played it note-perfect, as usual – should have been the fucking gig.
“The next day his manager phones me and says Gary’s blown his ears again and they’ve taken him to the doctor. I said: ‘Why don’t you take him to a fucking psychiatrist, cos that’s what he needs.’ That wasn’t the right thing to say to Mr God Almighty.”
Fifteen years later, the BBM experience still throws Ginger in a rage.
“That was a terrible time, playing with the Pampered Pompadour Of Pop. One gig was cancelled when he [Moore] cut his finger opening a fucking tin. Eric [Clapton] would have put a plaster on and played. Oh no, not Gary.
“And, again, it was so loud I had to have baffle boards on either side. I hate volume. Why does rock music have to be so loud? That was rock’n’roll finished for me.”
* For more grumblings from the irascible drummer, check out the March edition of Classic Rock (issue 142), on sale now.
I wonder what Gary Moore will have to say about this? No doubt Ginger will have an opinion on WSC and Oswald! Claw Hindenburg is a better drummer than Ginger although not so good at support.
A classic drummer he maybe but looking like Albert Steptoe from Steptoe and Son doesn’t help when he’s constantly moaning. ‘AROLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you know what you´re problem is Ginger ? , you´re just a miserable old bastard who has never accepted the fame and fortune of Jack Bruce and Eric clampton ! Yes , you like to drop Claptons name when you see fit but it´s more out of spite than love .
Gary Moore has nothing to prove to you or anyone else for that matter , it´s kind of strange though that , it´s taken you 16 years to get it off your chest ! Have you told Gary that ?
What an utter Knob ! Obviously doesn’t know thing about guitar strings and finger cuts, especially on the tops of fingers. Ouch !
Gary Moore is a perfectionist, a tone monster and one of the most influential Rock & Blues guitarists there is (notice – not “has been”).
I believe Gary Moore still gets on with Jack Bruce who funnily enough Baker doesn’t like either…wotta suprise. The ‘Pampered Pompadour Of Pop’? !
The Baker article goes on about other drummers? Talk about rating yourself highly – a golden 10?
More like zero on this showing – Mitch Mitchell would play rings round him nuff said. This makes me not want to like Cream.
Ginger’s an ornery old man for sure but I think Gary’s a tasteless wanker so I quite enjoyed the article.
I agree with all of the above posts, but we’ve grown to expect this kind of vitriol from GB (let’s hope his middle name is Oliver – GOB). Gary Moore is probably as amused by this as we are. Moore is possibly the most technically gifted guitarist in the world (really), so Baker is scraping the barrel to criticise him. Relax. We’re talking about a serious misanthrope here! Laugh at the old git.
Well now everyone knows that Moore is as boring in real life as in his records…
what a miserable fkg arse!!!!!!!…….AROLD indeed!!!!
Saying that, did once speak to Tony Mills from Shy after they supported Gary Moore, and they said he was a bit of a prick…wouldn’t talk to them…wouldn’t let them have a proper rehersal etc. This was back in 89/87 i think…maybe old Gazza has mellowed since then
Ginger Baker – decent drummer, absolute miserable opinionated cunt.
Ive got loads of bootlegs from the BBM-tour and Moore´s solos are different every night! So Ginger, You are full of it!
Who cares? Gary is still bigger than those schoolboys all together!
Alaways remember buying a ticket for the Ulster Hall in Belfast for BBM and gutted to turn up to find it cancelled on the night. Then found out the previous gig they played was so awful that they cancelled the tour. The reason – the drumming was so terrible !
Hey Ginger…Nice name. LOL! Why don’t you take a Viagra and stick a drumstick up your arse. Gary Moore has more talent in his bleeding finger than you have in your entire miserable old body ~ 10 times over. Why don’t you do us a favor and put yourself out of your missery. Once upon a time you may have been a “drummer” but now you sound like an old gossiping woman at a tea social. What have you done lately anyway? Complain how life is supposed to owe you something. You are a disgrace to yourself and your fans. “If it’s too loud, you’re obviously too old.”
And to all you no talent pricks talking shit on Gary Moore… A big Fuck you!
Two words: “The Loner” Listen to it and I challenge you to come up with anything as emotionally stunning. Good Luck!
I agree with Ginger, Gary Moore sucks… his fuzz box tone is awful and he overplays everything, not a hint of finesse, ever. Saw him once with Greg Lake and he overplayed everything.. it ruined the show. Contrived is the best way to describe his pseudo-blues garbage. I never could understand why anyone ever liked this guy nor why Bruce & Baker ever teamed up with him. Just awful and an insult to the greatness that was Cream
ginger baker wow theres a man with a cause to complain , dude gary moore rock and rolls you just roll in a old folks home, besides you are bum and was always a bum on the drums take your geritol
ginger baker,wot a childish old knobhead,an fuck me ugly old at that,loser,wots up ya jealous that the guitar god made ya realise ya shitter than ya thought ya wa? piss off ya old fart,mite get a job in the new steptoe an son!!!!!! u dirty old man!!!!!!
Really, Gary Moore sucks donkey crack.