Respected Australian Drummer Dead at 71 

James Baker, a respected Australian drummer, recognized for his component as a participant of the researchers, The Hoodoo Gurus and Bourbon, passed away at the age of 71.

Baker’s fatality was validated by a declaration released to the media on Tuesday (Might 6), keeping in mind that the rock vocalist passed away at his home the evening prior to. It checks out: “Our heart is James Baker, the king of Perth Big Beat, the godfather of Perth Punk and the Australian Garage Master passed away at his home in Perth last evening.”.

” James has actually dealt with sophisticated cancer cells for a long time, however he attempted his finest to order it, which provided the sufferer a last round – a band he developed with Hoodoo Master Dave Faulkner in ’77 and Hoodoo Master Dave Faulkner in ’77 – and a last couple of scenic tours and a brand-new cd from Monsters, that obtained a brand-new cd in Monsters, that co-founded the band with him in ’83’ 83.

It proceeded: “He likewise signed up with the Master on the Perth phase in December.” “He launched his initial guy 12” document Birthed in Locke – His initial solo launch considering that the 1985 fabulous “Birthed To Bunged”/ “I Can not Regulate Myself” – last Might, and this January, the freshly videotaped solitary by Domariani. “

Birthed in Perth, Western Australia in 1954, Baker acquired his initial drum set at the age of 16 after Beatles-loving Ringo Starr. The list below year, Baker will certainly begin his music job behind the Beatles’ cover collection and after that carry out with teams like Acid rock Gutting Black Sunlight and Glam Rock Glossy City Boys.

In the mid-70s, Baker would certainly hang around in the United States and UK, and also thought about auditioning for dispute after consulting with Joe Strummer and Mick Jones after a damn program. He remembered in 2003: “I had a Ramons Tees on it and they concerned me and talked with me. They stated they required a drummer. However I have actually been betting a year.”

It remained in 1977 that Baker initially made his look completely really feel founder with the sufferers of bassist Also known as Dave Cardwell. The band stemmed from an earlier team, The Nerds, which was affected by the Ramones and included arising punk songs. After including Dave Flick (also known as Dave Faulkner), the team will certainly relabel and launch their launching solitary, “Tv Addict.” The track stays a revolutionary cut in the Australian punk phase, offering tough listen enthusiasts for little fate.

Although still a participant of the sufferer, Baker will certainly sign up with the researcher in 1978, changing drummer John Rowlings. Showing up from the punk scene, researchers would certainly later on turn into one of Australia’s most well-known independent teams, and later on really felt the result on trash in styles such as Mudhoney and Mudhoney and Paradise.

After the launch of the cd of the exact same name in 1981, the band will certainly be divided quickly and Baker will certainly begin a brand-new organization. This consists of establishing Hoodoo Gurus with previous sufferer colleague Faulkner, previous researcher bandmate Roddy Radalj and Kimble Rendall, that will certainly pass away in April 2025.

Baker will certainly leave the band in 1984 after the launch of his initial cd Rock Romeo individuals which will certainly be the initial of 4 successive documents, placing the United States college radio positions.

Baker stays a participant of Hoodoo Gurus, that will certainly likewise be co-founded with Bourbon’s Monster, a rock supergroup led by previous vocalists at Tex Perkins. The first schedule will certainly be enhanced by Johnny’s guitar player Spencer P. Jones and participants of previous researchers Kim Salmon and Boris Sujdovic.

Baker will certainly continue to be most energetic amongst the Monsters of Bourbon up until 2024 with the majority of variations of the band. In addition, he is a respected songwriter and entertainer that remains to work as a participant of the band Multitude, consisting of James Baker Experience and Dubrovniks.

In 2006, he was sworn in right into the Hall of Popularity by the Western Australian Songs Sector Honors, and researchers will certainly follow it in 2019. On The Other Hand, Hoodoo Gurus was sworn in right into the Aria Hall of Popularity in 2007.

In 2014, Baker was identified with liver cancer cells and he defended the remainder of his life. Introduced a charity event to aid his clinical trip, Baker remained to transmit real-time in spite of his wellness concerns, and also launched his initial solo EP, Birthed in Locke in 2024.

” James’s other half Cathy, children Lorna and Faye and sibling Barbara and his expected grand son will certainly get to the scene around following week,” the declaration launched by the media wrapped up.

Baker’s fatality is one more loss endured by the broadened Hoodoo Gurus household over the previous year. In April 2024, veteran supervisor Michael McMartin died, a month after turning over the Ins rope to Mick Mazzone. In April 2025, Mazzone himself will certainly pass away, and a couple of days later on, starting participant Kimble Rendall.