Ginger Baker, Cream Band drumer just passed away at 80

Legendary drummer of Cream band, Ginger Baker just passed away on October 6, 2019 at the age of 80 at a hospital in the United Kingdom.

His daughter Nettie Baker said that her father pass away peacefully. Baker did not suffer any pain and has recently been able to see and talk with his children, close family and his special friends.

Many friends and fans who know the news have mourned the passing of a legend.

Psychedelic rock band Hawkwind, which had time corporating with Baker, shared on Twiter their condolences on his death Sunday:

“Fly high Ginger! You were a one off and and a true legend…We were honoured to work with you…RIP,”

Spandau ballet musician Gary Kemp and film director Edgar Wright also mourn the passing of a musician who inspired countless others

RIP the music giant that was Ginger Baker. The beat behind too many favourite songs from Cream, The Graham Bond Organisation and Alexis Corner’s Blues Incorporated. (If you haven’t seen the great doc ‘Beware Of Mr Baker’ do check it out) pic.twitter.com/2ZaJcbcmK2

— edgarwright (@edgarwright) October 6, 2019

About Baker’s life

Baker grew up in Lewisham, south of London, the son of a mortar. His father was killed during World War II when Baker was only four years old. Bullying at school, he started playing drums at the age of 16 and made a living as a musician a year later, becoming a phenomenon of London’s Soho jazz in the 1950s.

He learned African rhythms from his hero, another British jazz drummer Phil Seaman.

In 1962, Baker replaced Charlie Watts as a drummer for the Alexis Corner’s Blues Incorporated blues band when Charlie left to join the Rolling Stones.

Later, Baker joined the Graham Bond Organization, a blues band quickly becoming famous in England with Bond and bassist Jack Bruce, with whom Baker had a legendary chaotic relationship. The Graham Bond Organization ended when Baker fired Bruce at the knifepoint.

Baker decided to form his own band and invited guitarist Eric Clapton to join him. Clapton agreed to work with Baker to form Cream in 1966 – if Bruce also came – and the world’s first rock supergroup formed by established musicians was born.