James Baker, Beasts Of Bourbon And Hoodoo Gurus Drummer, Dead At 71

Tributes have poured in for veteran Australian rock drummer James Baker, following his passing earlier this week at the age of 71. The Perth-born musician had been living with cancer for several years in the lead-up to his death, which had been diagnosed as terminal. He was best known as a founding member of two beloved Australian bands: the Hoodoo Gurus, circa 1981, and the Beasts of Bourbon circa 1983. His 52-year career also saw him behind the kit for bands such as The Victims, Scientists, The Dubrovniks and The Painkillers, shaping the sound of Australian rock and punk.

Baker formed Hoodoo Gurus alongside frontman Dave Faulkner following the end of their previous band, The Victims, in the late 70s. They were joined by guitarists Roddy Radalj and Kimble Rendall, the latter of which also recently passed away just weeks before Baker. The band originally went by the name Le Hoodoo Gurus, but dropped the “Le” shortly after the release of their debut single ‘Leilani’ in 1982. Baker played on the band’s debut album, 1984’s Stoneage Romeos, before exiting the fold shortly thereafter and being replaced by Mark Kingsmill.

Beasts Of Bourbon – ‘Psycho’

Four months after the release of Stoneage Romeos, Beasts Of Bourbon’s debut album The Axeman’s Jazz was released. Baker had joined the band a year prior, having been hired by frontman Tex Perkins alongside guitarists Kim Salmon and Spencer P. Jones and bassist Boris Sujdovic. Baker would work with the band intermittently throughout the decade up to 1990. He rejoined the band in 2013 for their 30th anniversary tour, and would work with the surviving members on the spinoff band The Beasts from 2019 to his death, playing on the albums Still Here (2019) and Ultimo (2024).

In 2024, Baker formed James Baker & The Groundbreakers to release his debut solo EP, Born To Rock, on his 70th birthday (March 6th). “I think rock was always what I was meant to do,” said Baker at the time. “As many of you know, it’s not the easiest path, but I’ve had a blast. 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 you will all continue to enjoy and love rock & roll as much as I have.”

“The man lived and breathed rock & roll for over five decades,” wrote Perkins in a tribute post to his former bandmate. “He’s also breathed life into so many rock & roll bands, it would be difficult to count them all. Most of all, and even more importantly, the guy was always a fucking sweetheart.

I’ve known Baker since 1983. I was 18, and he was like a father to me. In all the time I knew him, we never had one argument; not one disagreement, not one shitty word. I can’t even remember even one misunderstanding. In 42 years! That’s remarkable.

James Baker Experience – ‘Born To Be Punched’

“Baker is one of my all time favourite drummers; nothing flash or unnecessary, just a solid beat. His simplicity has style that brings a kind of magic to the rock & roll he played. Put simply, James Baker is a fucking legend. l feel blessed to have known him, and I loved him; always have, always will.”

The Stems frontman Dom Mariani described Baker as “a one-of-a-kind guy” and “a lovely, humble man who always had time for everyone.” “When I first saw him play in the early Gurus, I was in awe,” he wrote. “‘How cool is this guy?’ I knew James a little in those days but it wasn’t until recent times that we got to know each other a little more. We talked music [and] our favourite bands a lot, and enjoyed having a good laugh. He had great stories. Thank you for the inspiration and friendship, James.”

Mudhoney, who toured with Beasts Of Bourbon, praised Baker as “the greatest of the great”. “He will be very sadly missed by all who knew, and all who admired, this wonderful man,” the band wrote. “Thank you, James, for all the amazing music you gave us.”

Baker is survived by his wife, Catherine, and his two daughters Lorna and Faye.

Further Reading

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