You and I have much in common with our musical roots Mr. Coyote. Proclaimers, Doors, drum solos from the classic era, etc.
Never had a chance to see the Who live back when Moon was still alive but did catch the Zep a couple times - in '69 at the Midwest Rock Festival at State Fair Park, West Allis, WI (just before Zep II was released) and '70 at the Milwaukee Arena/Auditorium (just before Zep III was released).
Had like 20th row seats for the '70 show, and saw Bonham do his solo pretty much up close and personal (there was no drum solo in the '69 show iirc). Never realised he played the first half of the solo with his bare hands until then, and that was impressive enough. Then he picked up his sticks! :shock:
For me, Ginger Baker will always be the standard by which others are judged. Never got to see Cream back in the day but did catch Blind Faith at that '69 Rock Fest and he played a solo on "Do What You Like" that still has me impressed today. There's another related story I could spin about that show that will have to wait for another day.
Have had the farewell DVD of Cream at the Royal Albert back in '68 and Ginger was at his peak in that period afaic.
I finally caught up with Cream at the reunion show at the Royal Albert Hall in '05. Was there on opening night on Mon, May 2nd. I count myself lucky to even get tickets, but there you are!
Ginger's rendition of Toad was much restrained from his younger days, but there again he was like 70 and had an arthritic knee. So no long double bass rolls. Yet it was great to see him still swinging.
Since then, I've seen the DVD "Beware Mr. Baker" and it contains a lot of great footage from him in his prime. Yes, he could clearly go to lengths that others could only dream of and while that's all impressive and everything, the DVD cast him in a dark light personality wise.
Be that as it may, Ginger will always be the drummer who defined the long drum solo. FWIW, and IMHO as always!
Cheers,
RR
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