Ginger Baker has passed away following the news that he had been critically ill and was in hospital for a few weeks. The family shared the news on Twitter.
We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully in hospital this morning. Thank you to everyone for your kind words over the past weeks.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends today. He was one of the best rock drummers to ever play, in my opinion.
From NY Times:
Keith Moon of the Who was more uninhibited; John Bonham of Led Zeppelin — a band formed in 1968, the year Cream broke up — was slicker. But Mr. Baker brought a new level of artistry to his instrument, and he was the first rock drummer to be prominently featured as a soloist and to become a star in his own right. Mr. Clapton praised him as “a fully formed musician” whose “musical capabilities are the full spectrum.”
Both as a member of the ensemble and as a soloist, Mr. Baker captivated audiences and earned the respect of his fellow percussionists with playing that was, as Neil Peart, the drummer with the band Rush, once said, “extrovert, primal and inventive.” Mr. Baker, Mr. Peart added, “set the bar for what rock drumming could be.”
Asked in that same interview how he would like to be remembered, he paused for a moment and then gave a one-word answer:
“Drummer.”
RIP Ginger Baker. The man who introduced 20-minute drum solos to the rock experience. A genuinely scary person and an incredible musician. Hell has a helluva new timekeeper. pic.twitter.com/41tjmx1d5Q
— Steven Hyden (@Steven_Hyden) October 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/vintagebowie/status/1180804369299755008
Ginger Baker, the creative drummer who played with Cream has passed away.
Rest in peace Sir, I doubt we’ll see your likes again.— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) 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
