"Great Drummer, Wild & Lovely Guy": Cream's Ginger Baker Passes Away Age 80
Many artists are paying tribute to the drummer.
Cream drummer Ginger Baker has passed away.
The news was confirmed by Baker's family via a statement to the drummer's Facebook page overnight.
"We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully this morning," it read.
"Thank you to everyone for your kind words to us all over the past weeks."
In late September, Baker's family shared that he was "critically ill in hospital".
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We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully this morning. Thank you to everyone for your kind words to us all over the past weeks.
Posted by Ginger Baker on Sunday, October 6, 2019
Baker formed Cream in 1966 with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce who passed away in 2014.
Together the band sold over 35 million records, before splitting up just two years later. Baker then formed another supergroup in 1969 with Clapton, Blind Faith, which also featured Steve Winwood and Ric Grech, though they split up after releasing just one album.
Tributes have begun pouring in for the artist, with Paul McCartney calling Baker a "great drummer, wild and lovely guy" and that it's "Sad to hear that he died but the memories never will".
Winwood, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, Queen's Brian May and more have all shared posts in tribute to Baker via social media. See the posts below.
On the passing of Ginger Baker: "A very sad loss, and my condolences to his family and friends. A loss also for his...
Posted by Steve Winwood on Sunday, October 6, 2019
RIP Ginger Baker - who thrilled us all with his massively innovative drumming in CREAM. When I advertised on my (Imperial) College notice board for a drummer to form a group with, I put “‘Wanted : a drummer who can… https://t.co/FnDtbN91Sr
— Dr. Brian May (@DrBrianMay) October 6, 2019
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
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) October 6, 2019
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