Ginger Baker in Africa – The rock legend that made Lagos his home
Ginger Baker, iconic English drummer of bands Cream, Blind Faith, and more, was a musical pioneer. Despite his success with rock groups, Baker asserted his identity as a jazz drummer, drawing inspiration from the genre.
Phil Seamen, fellow musician and mentor, introduced Baker to jazz, moving him with its rhythms and African-styled percussion. Baker’s relationships with African artists also influenced his musical tastes, collaborating with artists such as the Lijadu Sisters, Tony Allen, Kofi Ghanaba, Remi Kabaka, and Fela Kuti. Informed by their styles, Baker pursued the roots of rhythm back to Africa.
After traversing the Sahara Desert in the early 1970s, Baker settled in Lagos, then Nigeria’s capital. He spent much of the decade in Lagos, as well as in Ibadan, Osogbo, and Cross River. There, he established Batakota (ARC) Studios, the country’s first 16-track recording facility, which attracted a wide range of artists and hosted numerous album recordings. Unfortunately, Baker faced personal and professional disputes and financial setbacks, including the studio’s demise. By the early 1980s, he had returned to Europe.
Though brief, Baker’s time in Lagos remains fondly remembered by musical enthusiasts and is documented through studio recordings, performances, and anecdotes—a seemingly endless jam session.