Pink Floyd’s story is complicated. The popular interpretation of their history focuses on the decline of original frontman Syd Barrett, the band’s sonic improvement with a series of hit concept albums in the 1970s, and then the great division involving creative director Roger Waters and guitarist David Gilmour in the following decade. This is all well and good, but it frequently ignores the contributions of drummer Nick Mason.
Due to Waters and Gilmour’s popularity in Pink Floyd, Mason and keyboardist Rick Wright are often considered secondary. Nonetheless, they were just as important to the business as everyone else. Mason is one of the finest drummers of his time, combining an artistic bent with a love of jazz and rock ‘n’ roll. His rhythmic panache aided the band’s creativity and refinement.
Given Mason’s skill as a drummer, it stands to reason that he borrowed inspiration from some of the best when developing his style. Notably, he owes much to Cream icon Ginger Baker, possibly the first to infuse rock with a jazz spirit. Mason claims he “wouldn’t be here” without Baker.
Nick Mason saw Cream perform a legendary gig at Regent Street Polytechnic in 1966, and it altered his life. He stated in his 2004 autobiography Inside Out, “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Ginger Baker.” “When the curtain opened in 1966 with Ginger, Eric, and Jack, I knew that’s what I wanted to be.”
Mason also shared his favorite drummers with Music Radar in 2010, and he mentioned some famous faces with Baker. One of the most riveting stories he told was about Mitch Mitchell, the rhythmic powerhouse that powered The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Mitchell, an underappreciated virtuoso of the drum kit, could go toe-to-toe with Jimi Hendrix’s remarkable guitar work. This provided him with the right foundation to produce an assortment of legendary songs. Unfortunately, Mason stated that “there’s no one else like him.”
“In terms of style and rock drummers I like, it was Mitch Mitchell,” said the Pink Floyd drummer. It’s so lazy whether it’s behind the rhythm or not, yet it worked nicely under Jimi and that little jazzy style. There’s no one else like him.”
