James Baker, drummer for Hoodoo Gurus, The Scientists and Beasts of Bourbon, dies elderly 71

Australian musician James Baker has died, on the age of 71.

Baker used to be absolute best referred to as the drummer for a number of rock outfits together with The Scientists, Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, the Victims and the Dubrovniks.

News of his dying comes simply two weeks after Hoodoo Gurus misplaced founding member Kimble Rendall and supervisor Dominic ‘Mick’ Mazzone inside of simply days of one another.

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Baker died in his place of origin of Perth on Monday, about 7.30pm, consistent with a remark confirming the dying of “the King of the Perth Big Beat, the godfather of Perth Punk and Australia’s Garage Guru”.

“He was a man who LOVED rock’n’roll, and who shared that love with everybody. And he was loved. He was so loved,” the remark stated.

The Hoodoo Gurus are but to touch upon Baker’s passing however they up to date their Facebook duvet photograph in tribute, posting a shot of the musician taking part in the drums.

His dying comes 10 years after he used to be recognized with terminal liver most cancers. At the time, in 2015, docs gave the rock celebrity simply six months to are living however he battled on and endured to excursion.

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“It was no secret that James had been suffering from terminal cancer for some time, but he did his best to hold it at bay which enabled a final go round from the Victims – the band he formed with fellow Hoodoo Guru Dave Faulkner in ’77 – and a couple of last tours as well as a new album from the Beasts, the band he co-founded in ’83,” the remark stated.

“He also joined the Gurus on stage in Perth in December. He released his first solo 12” document Born To Rock – his first solo unencumber since 1985’s mythical Born To Be Punched/I Can’t Control Myself unmarried – in May closing 12 months, and a newly recorded unmarried with Dom Mariani as not too long ago as January of this 12 months.

“With a CV that reads like a who’s who of Australian rock’n’roll greatness – in addition to the Victims, Hoodoo Gurus and Beasts of Bourbon, James co-founded the Scientists, the Dubrovniks, the Painkillers and more – James was also a genuine tastemaker and style influencer.”

Last 12 months when Baker launched his first – and closing – solo document, a mini-album titled Born to Rock, he urged to lovers he wasn’t positive how lengthy he had left however sought after to depart a long-lasting legacy.

“As you know, I’m heading towards the end of the show but hey I’ve made my music for me and all of you, I really hope and almost know you will all continue to enjoy and love rock ‘n’ roll as much as I have,” Baker stated in a remark in March, 2024.

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Born and taken up in Western Australia, Baker used to be impressed to absorb the drums after seeing Ringo Starr play and used to be a part of a Beatles duvet band as a 17-year-old.

It wasn’t lengthy earlier than the musician become part of a few of Australia’s maximum prolific bands and is credited with being a key a part of the Perth punk scene.

He used to be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, a 12 months after being inducted into the West Australian Music Hall of Fame.

Baker is survived via his spouse Cathy, daughters Lorna and Faye, his sister, Barbara “and his unborn grandson who will be arriving on the scene in the next week or so”.

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