Ginger Baker, drummer of one of Britain’s most influential rock outfits, Cream, has died aged 80 according to a statement released on social media.
The news comes after Baker’s family revealed the drummer was “critically ill in hospital” last month. The drummer underwent open heart surgery in 2016 and suffered from osteoarthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully in hospital this morning. Thank you to everyone for your kind words over the past weeks.
— Ginger Baker (@GingerBDrums) 6 October 2019
News of Baker’s passing has sparked a flood of tributes from fellow musicians, including Ringo Starr, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney and Brian May, remembering him as a “wild and lovely guy” and an “extremely talented and innovative drummer”.
Sad news hearing that Ginger Baker has died, I remember playing with him very early on in Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated. He was a fiery but extremely talented and innovative drummer. pic.twitter.com/tZg3IGwP4Z
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) 6 October 2019