Cream drummer Ginger Baker is “critically in poor health”
Legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker is “critically in poor health” and within the hospital, in line with an announcement launched by his household.
“Please hold him in your prayers tonight,” the household wrote within the temporary assertion posted to Baker’s official Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon.
Baker, who turned 80 in August, has skilled quite a few well being points in recent times. In 2016, he underwent open coronary heart surgical procedure and injured himself in a fall whereas in restoration. Baker additionally suffers from power obstructive pulmonary illness from years of heavy smoking, in addition to from power again ache attributable to degenerative osteoarthritis.
The Baker household are unhappy to announce that Ginger is critically in poor health in hospital. Please hold him in your prayers tonight
— Ginger Baker (@GingerBDrums) September 25, 2019
Baker achieved celebrity standing throughout his tenure in Cream alongside Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. The band solely existed for 3 years between 1966 and 1968, however is extensively thought of one of the crucial influential acts in rock historical past. Specifically, Baker is credited for incorporating African rhythms, choosing two bass drums as an alternative of the usual lone kick bass drum, and utilizing fundamental drum rudiments, like his signature flam triplet, to create a thundering, driving fashion. Cream have offered 15 million information worldwide and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 1993.
Following the demise of Cream, Baker teamed up with Clapton, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech to type Blind Religion, however the collaboration was short-lived. Baker later launched his personal jazz-rock fusion group Ginger Baker’s Air Pressure, and collaborated extensively with Fela Kuti.
In 2005, Baker reunited with Clapton and Bruce for a sequence of Cream reunion exhibits in London and New York Metropolis.