Cream’s Influential Drummer Ginger Baker Has Died, Aged 80

Oct 07, 2019 by apost team

Ginger Baker, the legendary drummer of some of music’s biggest bands has died at the age of 80. He was notorious not only for his unparalleled talent but his outlandish personality as well, and will be remembered for the indelible mark he made in music history.

Baker was born in England and had initially set his hopes on being a professional cyclist. Once a traffic accident put an end to that path, he turned to drumming. His athletic legs gave him the edge on a double bass sound, and he started his music career in the jazz club scene in London, reports CNN.

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In that moment it was blues music that he really gravitated towards, and after playing with a few small bands he met Eric Clapton in 1966, writes Rolling Stone. It was right after he had come out of the Yardbirds and wanted to form something new. That’s when they co-founded Cream along with bassist Jack Bruce. Their new sound was an immediate hit with songs like “Strange Brew,” “Sunshine Of Your Love,” and “White Room.”

The band had a penchant for rambling, psychedelic solos which showcased Ginger’s energetic and powerful drumming. However the personalities in the band clashed and they would often break out into fights on-stage and although they influenced dozens of bands, they didn’t last for very long. Running away from the European music scene and his drug habit, Ginger packed up for Africa.

It was there where he met up with the legendary Fela Kuti to get back to the hard-pounding African beats he first learned at the beginning of his career. The two became inseperable and Ginger stayed in Africa for decades, also setting up the first 16-track studio in Nigeria where Paul McCartney and Wings recorded the legendary album “Band On The Run”, according to CNN. Ginger also picked up an affinity for polo in, a deep passion that was akin to drumming.

He eventually made his way back to the UK where he passed away yesterday, October 6, at the age of 80 after a series of health problems.

"Dad passed away peacefully," Ginger’s daughter Nettie Baker told CNN in a statement. "He was in no pain and had recently been able to see and speak to his children, close family and special friends."

His influential drumming made a mark on the sound of rock and world music in the bands that came after him. Cream is widely considered as a forefather of heavy metal music, and Rush’s drummer once said:

"His playing was revolutionary," said Neil Peart to Rolling Stone in 2009. "He set the bar for what rock drumming could be."

Tributes have come out from fellow musicians from bands like Queen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and even the Beatles commending his talent.

Rest in peace to Ginger Baker, a wild and brilliant drummer. Are you a Cream fan? Let us know and tell others about your memories of Baker’s music.