Nick Mason had a passion for drumming since a young age. But he never imagined he’d devote his life to it. As a studious adolescent, Mason worked hard in school. He believed that his future lay in architecture, which was his ultimate dream career.
Mason’s exam results earned him a place at Regent Street Polytechnic in London, where he studied architecture. However, as he continued to study, music became an increasingly important part of his life. Meeting like-minded people, such as Richard Wright and Roger Waters, was enough to change his path and lead him on an unpredictable journey.
His time at university was pivotal in the formation of his first band, Sigma 6, which later became Pink Floyd. Another seminal musical event occurred at Regent Street Polytechnic. It was equally transformative and altered his perspective on the role of a drummer.
In 1966, Cream walked into Mason’s students’ union for what should have been a routine performance. However, it was consigned to history after Jimi Hendrix made a cameo appearance during the show and introduced himself in grand style.
However, Mason was preoccupied with Cream drummer Ginger Baker, whom he couldn’t take his gaze away from. It was a masterclass in how to play the instrument. While many will say Hendrix stole the show, the Pink Floyd member disagrees.
Nick Mason wrote in his 2004 autobiography Inside Out about that concert. “I wouldn’t be here today if it hadn’t been for Ginger Baker. When the curtain opened at Regent Street Polytechnic in 1966, and there were Ginger, Eric, and Jack, I knew that was what I wanted to be.
Meanwhile, in an interview with The Drummers Journal, Mason discussed one of his primary influences. “Before 1960, drummers for pop groups were on a riser in the back. It was with someone good-looking at the front nodding along to the music. With Ginger, it became about a band rather than just a pop star, which appealed to a large number of people.
Continuing to heap praise, he added: “It challenged the notion that popular music was only for teenage girls.” Cream realized that the majority of the audience was made up of men in trench coats (laughs).
Mason was already on track to abandon his architectural dreams in favor of a musical future with his newfound Cambridgeshire friends. But seeing Baker strut his stuff firsthand pushed him even further down this path. Less than two years later, Pink Floyd released their debut album. And they set out to establish their own identity in the music world.
