10 Artists Who Slated The Beatles
6. Ginger Baker
Perhaps best known for his work with Cream, Ginger Baker drummed for everyone from Fela Kuti to Public Image Ltd. The legendary sticksman was something of a virtuoso, blending African rhythms with jazz drumming. He was also legendary for his fiery temper and curmudgeonly temperament, a reputation that almost threatens to overshadow his musical gifts.
It’s no surprise then, that he didn’t hold back about about a band he felt just wasn’t on his level, musically. Taking pride in his ability to read and write music, he took issue with The Beatles’ illiteracy when it came to musical notation, telling Forbes Magazine:
“We used to say about the Beatles in 1963: 'They don’t know a hatchet from a crotchet.'"
In another interview for Classic Rock, he attributes all The Beatles’ success to their producer George Martin, opining:
“George Martin was The Beatles. Without him they’d have been nowhere.”
Things only got worse when Baker actually got to work with a Beatle. He drummed on the George Harrison-produced sessions for Billy Preston’s That’s The Way God Planned It. Don’t expect Ginger to express any enthusiasm for an opportunity most musicians would swap a limb for.
“He [Harrison] was like Jagger, didn’t know what the f**k he was talking about. His way of explaining an idea was to wave his arms about. He’d be going: ‘Y’know, Ginger, play it like this,’ flailing his arms. What the f**k are you talking about! Write it down so I can see what you mean. He couldn’t.”