Glenn. A Baker, one of the most revered names in the world of Australian music, has passed away at the age of 74.
News of Baker’s passing was announced via longtime colleague Stuart Coupe on social media this morning, with a post from Baker’s official page later confirming the news.
“This is a post that I was hoping I wouldn't be making for a considerable period of time but after an illness Glenn A Baker passed away earlier this morning,” Coupe wrote. “I'm beyond sad.”
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Glenn A. Baker AM. Glenn passed away this morning, 31 July 2026, three days after his 74th birthday,” Baker’s official page wrote.
“Glenn’s contribution to the Australian rock ’n’ roll music landscape was immense, but his family remembers him as a loving father of six and grandfather of thirteen.
“Glenn’s passion for music, travel, food and his family (still not entirely sure of the order) was, like his personality, larger than life,” it added.
Born in Sydney in 1952, Baker entered the world of media in the early '70s, having worked o the very research project that would result in the establishment of 2JJ – later renamed triple j. The same era saw Baker try his hand at music management, looking after Sydney rockers Ol' 55 and even introducing the group to their now-famous frontman and saxophonist, Frankie J. Holden and Wilbur Wilde, respectively.
Alongside managing the band Cheek, Baker established Raven Records, which focused largely on reissues across its 40+ years of operation.
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Baker would launch his broadcasting career on triple j, before moving over to Triple M, and establishing himself as one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the Australian music industry. So great was his knowledge that he was dubbed the BBC's ‘Rock Brain Of The Universe’ three times in the ‘80s.
In addition to his broadcasting work, Baker was a prolific writer and journalist, serving as the Australian Editor of Billboard for more than 20 years, and penned 17 books alongside the liner notes to countless records.
Baker was also a constant presence on television, and also inducted a handful of artists into the ARIA Hall Of Fame alongside his role on the ARIA board’s advisory committee, including the Masters Apprentices, Billy Thorpe, Australian Crawl, and Max Merritt.
In 2024, Baker took the unexpected move of auctioning off his impressive collection of records, CD, books, and other music ephemera, with more than 80,000 items going under the hammer – years after he had stopped adding to his personal archive.
“I realised that there was not much point,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I had everything that I could listen to in ten lifetimes, and it started to get a bit obsessive.”
“Would I collect all this again? I have no idea, but probably, yes, because it burnt so brightly in my life.”
As the ABC reports, Baker’s son Orson told 702 ABC Sydney that his father had experienced a stroke previously, while recent times had seen his health ”declining”, with a “period of illness” preceding his passing.
“While the family wishes for privacy, if you do wish to honour Glenn or continue his legacy in some way, have a passionate conversation today with somebody about your favourite Australian muso or band,” the post announcing Baker’s passing concluded.
“Rock on Glenn! You will be missed.”
