Ginger Baker’s Air Force Flies Again
Ginger Baker has announced that he’s reviving Air Force, the jazz-rock fusion project with whom he released two albums in 1970. The new line-up will play a one-off London club date at the Borderline on December 17, for which tickets are available here, with a world tour planned for 2016. Our sources tell us that the exciting personnel details will be revealed soon.
The new activity follows Baker’s solo album ‘Why?, released by Motema Music last year, and the London gig will follow Ginger’s performance at the ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ tribute concert for his old Cream colleague Jack Bruce. This will take place at the Roundhouse in London on October 24, also starring Phil Manzanera, Mark King, Ian Anderson, Hugh Cornwell, Vernon Reid and many others.
The first Air Force release was a live recording of a live performance by the 11-piece line-up at the Royal Albert Hall in January 1970, soon after the demise of the supergroup Blind Faith, in which Baker played. The personnel included his colleagues from that band, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech, as well as former Moody Blues and future Wings member Denny Laine, Chris Wood, Ginger’s ex-bandmate Graham Bond and others.
The band’s second album, released just nine months later, again featured Bond, Laine and Grech, along with vocalists Diane Stewart and Catherine James, among others. 45 years on, the new Air Force will give a new generation the chance to experience a unique band.
UK English
lanzarishi
September 19, 2015 at 5:50 pm
This cannot possibly be true! If so it is like having a dream come true. Having missed the original line-up back in the day and being in the wrong location (US) it was virtually impossible for me to see any of the original shows. However, now is now and I will gladly fly anywhere to see them. I did recently see Ginger’s band last year at the Iridium in NYC and they were exceptional.
paco
September 21, 2015 at 4:35 pm
The biggest problem with this article is that it doesn’t name names. Who exactly can we expect in the 2015 Airforce lineup, other than Ginger Baker??
Mark
September 23, 2015 at 1:39 pm
I saw the original show at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1970 and have both albums. It was because of Ginger that I started to play drums and still play to this day. Except I live in Spain now and gig regularly.
Peter
October 2, 2015 at 11:18 pm
I thought I just read that Ginger Baker was reforming Airforce.
Must cut down on the hallucinogenic drugs.
adam cohen
November 14, 2015 at 9:00 pm
you got to get clapton in this line up
Tom Hubbard
December 27, 2015 at 1:31 am
I hope Mr. Baker performs in L.A. . I would love the opportunity to witness the greatest fucking drummer that ever lived .
Brian Wells
January 19, 2016 at 3:34 am
I was very fortunate to see Ginger Baker many times in Chicago and the May 2nd 05 Cream RAH reunion. The last time I saw him in ’15 his son Covey sat next to us. Ginger was in the audience the night before for his sons band in Berwyn Il. To fucking cool. If Airforce is coming, if Mr Baker is healthy enough I am there!
chas
April 30, 2016 at 6:57 pm
I know Im getting old but Im sure I saw Airforce play a poly in Barking Essex called NELP supporting was Atomic Rooster , can anybody confirm or deny that? If so what date was it please – pretty please?
service Konner
May 4, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Good Luck!!!