James Baker, Influential Australian Drummer, Dies at 71

James Baker, a pioneering Australian drummer known for his work with bands such as The Scientists, Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, and The Dubrovniks, has died at 71 after a long battle with cancer. Baker was a foundational figure in Perth’s punk and garage music scene, co-founding the Victims and contributing significantly to influential Australian records from the late 1970s and 1980s. Despite a terminal cancer diagnosis in 2015, he continued to perform, write, and record music, releasing his first solo mini-album, 'Born To Rock,' in 2024 and participating in recent tours and albums with his former bands. He was celebrated as both a tastemaker and style influencer, remembered for his passion for rock’n’roll and his enduring impact on Australia’s music landscape. Baker's career was marked by collaborations with notable musicians and bands, and he was inducted into the Western Australian Hall of Fame in 2006. He is survived by his wife, daughters, sister, and an unborn grandson.