Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus struck by a third tragedy in less than a month as founding drummer James Baker dies at age 71 following terminal cancer diagnosis

By JIMMY BRIGGS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 07:52 BST, 6 May 2025 | Updated: 07:53 BST, 6 May 2025

Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus has lost another member. 

The ARIA Hall of Fame recipients confirmed on Tuesday that their original drummer James Baker has died aged 71. 

Baker’s death came one year after he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.

He joined the legendary rockers in 1981 and performed on their first album, Stoneage Romeos. 

The Perth-born musician co-wrote the band’s very first single Leilani and also performed on their 1983 hit song My Girl.

He left the band in 1984 and performed in several other iconic Australian bands throughout his career, including Beasts of Bourbon and The Scientists. 

Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus has lost another member. The ARIA Hall of Fame recipients confirmed on Tuesday that their original drummer James Baker has died aged 71. Pictured

Hoodoo Gurus shared a photo of Baker energetically playing the drums on stage to mark his passing. 

In 2006, in recognition of his long service to the music industry Baker was inducted into the Western Australian Hall of Fame. 

The musician was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year and was told he only had months to live, reported The West in August. 

He told the publication that he struggled with not being able to perform musically as his condition worsened.

‘I get very tired. I can still play drums but if I had to stand up, I wouldn’t be able to. I could probably play three songs, then I have to sit down,’ Baker said.

He is survived by his wife of ten years, Catherine Podger, and two daughters from a previous relationship.

Baker’s death came just weeks after the tragic passing of Hoodoo Gurus’ original guitarist Kimble Rendall on April 20.

‘RIP Kimble. Very sad news,’ the band wrote on social media alongside a throwback picture of him playing the guitar in a studio.

Baker’s death came one year after he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer

Baker’s death follows the tragic passing of Hoodoo Gurus’ original guitarist Kimble Rendall (left) and their former manager former manager Dominic ‘Mick’ Mazzone (right)

‘Two losses we have had in the Gurus family this past week. We’re still reeling from the shock.’ 

The Sydney-born musician was the band’s original guitarist in 1981 – 1982 and played on their breakout song Leilani, but left just as they were rising to fame in order to become a filmmaker.

He went on to make movies such as the 2000 horror movie Cut, starring Kylie Minogue and Molly Ringwald.

Rendall’s own death was just days after the band’s former manager Dominic ‘Mick’ Mazzone died after battling an illness.

The band took to social media in April to remember the industry veteran as a ‘dear friend’. 

‘We in the Hoodoo Gurus are utterly devastated at the sudden loss of our dear friend, Mick (Dominic) Mazzone,’ they wrote in a statement.

‘It is impossible to convey the shock and grief we are feeling right now. We have already shed many tears, and there will be many more to come.

‘Our loss is nothing compared to the one that has been dealt to Mick’s close family and friends and, in particular, to his beloved kids, Frank, Antonia and Alex.’

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Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus struck by a third tragedy in less than a month as founding drummer James Baker dies at age 71 following terminal cancer diagnosis

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