Ginger Baker, pioneering rock drummer and co-founder of psychedelic outfit Cream, has passed away over the weekend at the age of 80.
Late last month, it was revealed that Ginger Baker (born Peter Baker) was “critically ill in hospital”, with the musician’s official Twitter account urging fans to keep him in their prayers.
This news followed a number of illnesses over the last few years, including the 2013 revelation that he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a result of smoking and chronic back pain as a result of degenerative osteoarthritis.
More recently, 2016 saw Baker suffer a fall at his home, resulting in the cancellation of a tour with Ginger Baker’s Air Force, and followed up by open-heart surgery for an undisclosed condition.
Now, the official social media account for Baker has confirmed that the rocker passed away on Sunday, October 6th.
“We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully this morning,” explained Baker’s official Facebook page. “Thank you to everyone for your kind words to us all over the past weeks.”
Before long, a number of Baker’s musical contemporaries took to social media to share their own condolences to the drummer, including the family of late Cream bassist Jack Bruce, who lamented the music world’s loss on Twitter.
“Surviving a love hate relationship, Ginger was like an older brother to Jack, their chemistry was truly spectacular,” they wrote. “RIP Ginger, one of the greatest drummers of all time.”
“Ginger Baker, great drummer, wild and lovely guy,” added former Beatle Paul McCartney. “We worked together on the Band On The Run album in his ARC Studio, Lagos, Nigeria. Sad to hear that he died but the memories never will.”
“Sad news hearing that Ginger Baker has died, I remember playing with him very early on in Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated,” noted The Rolling Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger. “He was a fiery but extremely talented and innovative drummer.”
The Bruce family would like to extend their sincere condolences to Ginger Baker’s family, friends and fans. Surviving a love hate relationship, Ginger was like an older brother to Jack, their chemistry was truly spectacular. RIP Ginger, one of the greatest drummers of all time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/G9Pl4Qecdp
— Jack Bruce (@jackbrucemusic) October 6, 2019
Ginger Baker, great drummer, wild and lovely guy. We worked together on the ‘Band on the Run’ album in his ARC Studio, Lagos, Nigeria. Sad to hear that he died but the memories never will. X Paul pic.twitter.com/Rne4tn6A2i
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) October 6, 2019
Having first rose to fame with the Graham Bond Organisation, Ginger Baker teamed up with former bandmate Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton to form Cream, one of the most prominent and celebrated psychedelic rock and blues bands of the era.
While Cream only released a handful of records in their all-too brief career, Baker would go on to perform in supergroups such as Blind Faith, while also forming Ginger Baker’s Air Force, and going on to perform as a solo artist.
Famed for his theatrical performances and innovate techniques (including popularising the usage of a double kick drum), Baker’s legacy will undoubtedly live on for generations thanks to everything he gave to the world of music.
Check out ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ by Cream:
