Cream Drummer Ginger Baker “Critically Ill” In Hospital
“The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital”
The legendary drummer and founding member of Cream, Ginger Baker, is reportedly “critically ill’ and in the hospital, his family confirmed on social media today, 25 September.
“The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital. Please keep him in your prayers tonight,” reads the post on his official socials.
The iconic stickman recently celebrated his 80th birthday last month on 19 August. While no further details have been confirmed, Baker had previously revealed from he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic back pain as a result of degenerative osteoarthritis back in 2013.
The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital. Please keep him in your prayers tonight
— Ginger Baker (@GingerBDrums) September 25, 2019
He also underwent successful open-heart surgery after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition in July 2016.
Baker’s daughter, Nettie Baker, has been the biggest champion of her father’s legacy, without glossing over his rock’n’roll past. She published her second memoir, More Tales Of A Rock Star’s Daughter earlier this year.
He was also the subject of a 2013 documentary, Beware Of Mr. Baker, that crystallised his image as a hard-living, prolific musician with self-destructive tendencies.
Baker founded Cream in 1966 along with Eric Clapton and bassist Jack Bruce, together the trio released four albums – Fresh Cream, Disraeli Gears, Wheels Of Fire and Goodbye – before the group split up in 1968.
Before their break-up, Cream sold 15 million albums, spawning such classic rock hits as ‘White Room’, ‘Strange Brew’ and ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’.
Baker and Clapton then went on to form the supergroup Blind Faith with Steve Winwood of Traffic and Family bassist Ric Grech, who only released one album.
While Cream helped to establish the power-trio in rock, their pioneering fusion of rock, blues and jazz made them one of the most influential bands of the 60s and turned Baker into the genre’s first star drummer.
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Bill ODonnell
September 26, 2019 at 2:01 am
He was indomitable with Cream probably the greatest rock trio of all time
Bill Hayes
September 26, 2019 at 3:00 am
My prayers are with the Baker Family in this time of need & thoughts..Get well soon Ginger…
Ian
September 26, 2019 at 6:37 am
Cream and along with Ginger Baker was one of the first bands I saw in London……a great drummer and a great artist all my thoughts and prayers to him and his family and mates
Colin "Rusty" Hughes
September 26, 2019 at 1:18 pm
Sad news. From one “Ginger”…..now grey to another, be brave my friend my thoughts and prayers are with you and your lovely family.
mike
September 26, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Such a great drummer and huge influence. God bless him
Casey
September 26, 2019 at 4:30 pm
Caught one of his seminars, Amazing person!
Moe
September 26, 2019 at 7:24 pm
All 3 Cream members were so far ahead of their time
Steve (but not Naive)
September 26, 2019 at 9:25 pm
One of three men in a band that taught us that three was all you needed to make some of the most powerful rock ever.
Doug D.
September 28, 2019 at 1:47 am
Such a powerful band! I dare say ANYONE who ever had the privilege of seeing CREAM live had some part of themselves changed forever.
I’m sure many of us have said the following a minimum of 10,000 times: “If only Ginger and Jack had been able to get along and Cream could have reformed and STAYED reformed! They could have made so much more of the music ONLY they could make.
Our bodies may wear out and wither, but the music you made is immortal Ginger.