The family of legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker have released a statement, acknowledging that Baker is “critically ill” and under the care of a hospital.
A tweet shared on Baker’s official Twitter account read “The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital. Please keep him in your prayers tonight.” When a fan beckoned the question “Is this for real?”, the account responded, “Sadly yes.”
The 80-year-old musician has been plagued with a number of illnesses over the past few years. In 2013, the drummer revealed that he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a result of smoking and chronic back pain as a result of degenerative osteoarthritis.
In 2016, Baker suffered a fall at his home, which resulted in the cancellation of a tour with his band Ginger Baker’s Air Force. Four months later, he underwent open-heart surgery after suffering from an undisclosed heart condition.
Our thoughts go to Baker and his family in this trying time.
Listen: Cream – ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’
Ginger Baker formed Cream alongside Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce in 1966. Together, the trio released four albums —including the seminal Disraeli Gears— before they called it a day in 1968. Baker joined forces with Clapton and went on to form Blind Faith, who released one self-titled record. Baker then went on to form his jazz-rock fusion band Ginger Baker’s Air Force. Baker has also released eighteen solo records.
Cream reunited briefly in 2005 for a series of reunion shows in London and New York City. The band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, which saw them play at the award ceremony.
