Welcome to another Weekend Warrior profile, where we chat to a fellow keyboard player on the front lines of music making. If you’d like to be profiled yourself, here’s how.
Say hi to Toni Baker!
Band Name/s
Shabby Tiger, Groovemental, All Revved Up (Meat Loaf tribute band), and Elvis tributes.
What genres / eras does your band cover?
Rock, Disco, Pop.
How many years have you been playing gigs?
60
What inspired you to become a keyboard player in the first place?
Watching TV in the 1950s.
What is the keyboard rig you currently use when gigging?
I use the Korg Kronos (73 & 61) and Korg CX3. Depending on the gig, I might use just one Kronos—usually the 73 for piano-oriented performances like Meat Loaf, or the 61 for synth-heavy genres like disco. For Elvis gigs, I use two Kronos units, and for rock gigs, I use all three boards.
Is there a piece of gear you’re lusting after?
I’m looking forward to trying the Kronos 3 soon!
Aside from keys duties, do you have other roles in the band?
I serve as the Music Director (MD), arranger, and provide backing vocals (BVs). I also produce the band’s recordings and help organize some gigs.
Most memorable gig you’ve played and why was it memorable?
Several gigs stand out: playing the London Palladium with The Dakotas on a 1960s package tour, performing at the Chelmsford Spectacular (now known as V Fest) with The Dakotas in front of 59,000 fans, touring the US on the Legends of Rock n Roll tour with The Dakotas, and playing in Scandinavia with Shabby Tiger in the 70s when we were number one in the charts and appearing on TopPop in Holland with a hit record.
Has anything ever gone spectacularly wrong for you at a gig that you’re happy to share?
Yes, plenty of times over the years! This includes X-frame stands collapsing, speakers blowing, and amps blowing up.
Are there songs you love or hate to play?
I love playing most songs and styles.
Who are your keyboard player inspirations and why?
In my teens, I used to watch Brian Auger play the Hammond at the Middle Earth Club in London, and Georgie Fame at the Flamingo. Many keyboard players have influenced me, including Billy Preston, Jools Holland, and Ric Wakeman.
Fantasy time: you get a call from your favourite band of all time, asking you to play keys next week at their gig. Who is that band and how would you pull it off?
It’s happened to me a few times! The Fortunes asked me to join their tour in Australia a couple of years ago, and The Merseybeats invited me to join them on the last ever QE2 cruise from Malta to Egypt. I’d love to work with The Animals, Eagles, and Eric Clapton.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully still writing, recording, and gigging. As long as someone helps me carry my gear in and out of venues!
Your 5 Desert Island Discs
– Silver Album by Hall & Oates
– The Seventh One by Toto
– Aja by Steely Dan
– Christopher Cross’s self-titledfirst album
– Long Road Out of Eden by The Eagles
– Sound Venture by Georgie Fame
– Nightfly by Donald Fagen
Anything else you’d like to add?
I wrote and produced all the music, including the theme tunes for Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights and Max & Paddy’s Road to Nowhere. I have just written my autobiography, titled “The Man Behind the Music of Phoenix Nights (and why sisters are interesting),” available through my website: www.tonibaker.co.uk.