Chad Smith Deserves An Award For This Interview With Ginger Baker

Chad Smith, who holds Ginger Baker in high regard as a musical hero, worked tirelessly to secure an interview with the notoriously prickly and press-averse Cream Legend. Still, the interview is far better than what’s anticipated; you can take a look at it below.

In conversation: Chad Smith with Ginger Baker is a project by Smith to jump at the once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to interview his hero. In the YouTube video, the caption says: “Last week, millions of viewers watched in stunned amazement as Chad Smith was robbed of the Golden Cowbell after his drum-off with Will Ferrell on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Before that, he faced an even more formidable opponent in the drumming world: Ginger Baker.”

Although the 74-year-old drummer’s abilities in front of the kit have not been affected by arthritis, the condition does make it difficult for him to sit still for extended periods. Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion and a select group of other musicians joined Baker while he was performing at the Iridium Club in New York City for a few shows. Smith and director Jay Bulger, who directed the documentary “Beware of Mr. Baker” in 2012, attended the opening night performance. The following day, they met Baker in the hotel suite of the Dream Hotel for a chat that is gold in many ways you could think of.

Baker can be seen being punitive with his words to Bulger, and Chad Smith, who finds this hilarious, commented that they have “a nice relationship,” “like an old married couple or something.”

You can watch the entertaining video below.