In an article of Modern Drummer, Ginger had this to say about the film: If it weren't for Baby Dodds, you would never have heard of Gene Krupa. Baby Dodds taught Gene Krupa, which was why I was so pissed when I went to see the movie The Gene Krupa Story because Baby Dodds was not even mentioned. It was the worst movie ever made.
shareCould have been left out because:
1.Family or estate would give permission period.
The person was included but they did care for the way that person was to be portrayed and said no.
Family or estate wanted too much money for permission.
Leading the blind squirrels of inquiry to the lost nuts of illumination.
Ginger Baker who?
What a loser. At least we *have* heard of Gene Krupa. Who's ever heard of Ginger Baker? We don't even know his real name. Gene Krupa was a super-star from 1934 to 1950, even bouncing back from a career killing stint in jail, and remained an active drummer, an inspiration to legions of young drummers, and a household name long after his death in 1973. He fronted his own band, under his own name, and caused girls to swoon in the movie theater. Baker caused girls to swoon too, but for the wrong reasons. I mean that guy is ugly. With a beard in a black and white photo he looks like Abe Lincoln. He was a star for TWO (2), count 'em, TWO years in the most overhyped band in history. 99% of non-musicians will not be able to name a single Cream song or name its drummer. Eric Clapton is a super-star guitarist, even rock royalty George Harrison asked him to play on a Beatles record. Did Ringo ever ask Baker for anything? No he didn't, because even Ringo is a better drummer than Baker.
Get a grip, the movie was about Gene Krupa. It wasn't about Gene Krupa's teachers, mentors, or contemporaries. It's one of the greatest movies ever made.
At one point they were going to make "The Ginger Baker Story" but the producers backed out when Baker wanted to spend too much time talking about how Krupa had inspired him. Also they estimated that only 100 drummers would turn out to see the movie, equating to .23 people per auditorium. (this paragraph was a joke).
You probably should have done a few minutes of research before asking who Peter E. "Ginger" Baker is.
Anyway, to those of us who grew up in the 60's, we all know who Ginger Baker is and his discography is almost 5 times what Gene's was and he hasn't retired yet. Ginger was in several other bands besides Cream and I wouldn't be surprised if your 99% could name a song or two that came from one of them.
Gene was a great drummer - a different kind of drummer, playing different kinds of music than Ginger though Ginger is known as a jazz and jazz fusion drummer as well. You can't compare Ginger to Ringo either as they play different styles of music. But then, I guess you'd have to be a musician to understand that.
KS
Lighten up, man... all Ginger is saying was that the movie should have mentioned Baby Dodds. Baker might be an ugly guy in ways, but he's got enough going on musically to be respected. Baker has always said he has a ton of respect for the old Jazz Masters. And I would *never* equate commercial success with musicianship.
This is one of the "greatest movies ever made"??? Get a grip! Krupa was arguably the greatest drummer ever, but that doesn't mean the movie is anything, good or bad.
I found it had its good points, and its bad ones. The good, was some of the cinematography, and the drumming. Either Sal Mineo is a pretty respectable drummer, or someone's a damn good film editor. He actually took lessons from Gene while preparing for his role, and he does a pretty good job of imitating his style.. and it seems to be him, actually drumming. Or incredibly good editing.
What I really hated about the movie was that you didn't know what year you were in. The sets, clothing and hair styles were completely anachronistic. Like others said, it looked like it all happened in 1959. Major slippage there.
Overall, I only liked it because I like Gene Krupa, and all it really did was make me listen to some of the real thing. As a movie, meh.
- Wow, you sure packed a lot of wrong into that one post.
So it goes.
From electronod
I can't believe live Spoonful. The way they jammed. It still brings chills up and down my spine and I'm the biggest anal retentive there is. Clapton used a Les Paul and Ernie Ball strings.Are there multiple performances of this available to view online? In the 8min live version of Spoonful on YouTube, Clapton isn't playing a Les Paul, he's playing the "Fool SG", painted with a funky psychedelic scheme.
Baby Dodds? Never heard of him. But when I did I cried Holy *beep* The fine and intimate rhythms and variety are unequalled. His rolls are very tight and defined. I don't think there is a better drummer. I was going to mention Cozy Cole and Max Roach. Ginger Baker held his drumsticks like two hammers and his studio Toad was a little trying what with two bass drums together with a drum roll and his live Toad revealed fatigue and a limited repertoire. Baker's drum rolls were tight but his real strength is his love of the music Cream produced. They jammed like they knew what each was going to do. I can't believe live Spoonful. The way they jammed. It still brings chills up and down my spine and I'm the biggest anal retentive there is. Clapton used a Les Paul and Ernie Ball strings. I'm thinking of the crescendo in that song. The way Baker used his cymbals as Clapton spit out that lick and Jack Bruce followed through with his bass. I'm going deaf in one ear so I can never listen to the ear splitting volumes that I used to. Pressed Rat And Warthog and As You Said as well as Traintime are examples of real kickass melody and brush playing. The Baker website never responded to my email so I guess they just want you to buy things off their site. The Gene Krupa Story was a vehicle for Sal Mineo and was just another formula story using the boy meets girl, boy finds success, girl feels neglected but gets boy all to herself. Personally I would have stuck with Susan Oliver. The way she was sitting in that chair in one scene while that female singer sang low and sweet and Oliver got out of that chair READY FOR LOVE is my favorite scene.
shareYes, and they way she walked around the room . . . very nice . . .
share