Ginger Baker, rock drumming colossus of Cream, dies at 80

[Zorro]

Source: Washington Post

Ginger Baker, the prodigiously talented and volcanically temperamental rock drummer who helped form Cream, rock-and-roll’s first supergroup, and inspired awe and imitation in a generation of drummers, died on Oct. 6. He was 80.

The Associated Press reported Baker’s family saying on Twitter that he died Sunday: “We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully in hospital this morning.”

Gary Hibbert, a media representative for Baker’s family, confirmed his death, the AP said.

Cream, a trio that included guitarist-singer Eric Clapton and bassist-singer Jack Bruce, set a powerful standard for “supergroups,” bands composed of independent star musicians. During its 2 1 /2-year run, Cream sold millions of records and released a run of bluesy, jazzy and psychedelic hits including “White Room,” “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Tales of Brave Ulysses” in addition to rock-driven versions of blues standards such as “Crossroads” and “Spoonful.”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/ginger-baker-rock-drumming-colossus-of-cream-dies-at-80/2019/10/06/f1aff9ae-e828-11e9-9c6d-436a0df4f31d_story.html

[FailureToCommunicate]

1. Another pillar of the Rock Pantheon falls away. The soundtrack of our

youth.

R.I.P. Ginger Baker. Rock on in heaven.

[blm]

2. 😢😢😢

[Crowman2009]

3. Quite a talented drummer.

Even if he was a total prick. R.I.P.

[coeur_de_lion]

10. He was an amazing drummer

I still think he was the best rock drummer of all time.

But my God he was a complete prick. 24/7. He could give tRump a run for his money.

In the film "Beware of Mr. Baker" Jack Bruce says "He was the best Ginger Baker in the world" or something like that. Bruce used to love to mess with him. Now both are gone.

[Hoyt]

15. That was great. Baker broke the interviewer's nose with this cane.

[Loki Liesmith]

26. The concept of "talented drummer"

is very nearly coextensive with that of “total prick”

[ret5hd]

4. .

[ret5hd]

5. .

[Baclava]

6. RIP, another legend dies

[paleotn]

7. Sad.

Instead of drugs and hard living, now father time is taking so many giants.

And the colors of the sea
Blind your eyes with trembling mermaids
And you touch the distant beaches
With tales of brave Ulysses

[Dennis Donovan]

8. Cross gently, Ginger...

[turbinetree]

9. Cream - I Feel Free (Original Music Video, 1966)

Now there is only one left

Bruce................

Baker.................

[BlancheSplanchnik]

11. Ohhhh :(

Sad to say goodbye—so many greats of the era leaving us now.

Peace to Ginger Baker.

[edbermac]

12. Cream concert film

[JunkYardDogg]

13. Thank you for your music and your skills

I was able to see Cream 3 times
I saw them on their first trip to the States at The Whiskey., cannot even begin to describe what that was like seeing them in a club
Pound them skins in peace Ginger

[OneBlueDotBama]

21. Saw hen on their first tour...

There was no PA system, thus no vocals...regardless, we loved the concert. Amazing performers.

[Lulu KC]

14. A very favorite Blind Faith song

From the WaPo article: As Cream was imploding, Clapton formed his next supergroup, Blind Faith, with bassist Ric Grech and singer Stevie Winwood, and Mr. Baker attached himself uninvited. Clapton was wary, given the drummer’s dark history with drugs.

[Hoyt]

16. There are good drummers who keep a beat/rhythm, then there is Ginger Baker.

Loved Cream, Blind Faith, and this album:

[peacebuzzard]

17. Blind Faith.....what an era...awesome thread here.

Thanks for posting all these memories.
so many have left this for good lately.
Thanks for the rock...

[JohnnyRingo]

18. I just saw a doc on Cream a couple days ago.

Heaped praise on the band's jazz rooted drummer. Eric is now the sole survivor.

I'm saddened.

[notdarkyet]

19. Wish we could go back. Great music, no trump.

[icymist]

20. Goodbye Ginger. Godspeed. Listen to how the drums hold this song.

Last edited Mon Oct 7, 2019, 05:37 AM - Edit history (1)

[Mendocino]

22. Bonzo was a clubber,

Moon was sloppy...

Ginger ran like a fine watch.

[BHDem53]

23. RIP,

Mr. Baker.

[BarbaRosa]

24. Rest easy Ginger

[BigmanPigman]

25. Great power trio!

Baker sang this on Disraeli Gears. It makes me smile.

[YOHABLO]

27. Ginger Baker - that takes me back. Remember when drummers like Baker did solos for 15-20 minutes?

Today we're lucky if we even see the likes of an instrument. Not that I can afford to go to concerts anymore. I remember my sister's 'Cream' album and 'Blind Faith'. It was always playing and you could hear it throughout the house, much to my mother's dislike of course. So sad to hear of Baker's death. So sad that an era of music such as the 60s and 70s has come and gone. I'm quite proud to say I enjoyed it.

[pwb]

28. I always thought Ginger Baker was a cool name.

Had all their music.

Peace to you Ginger.

[Doc_Technical]

29. RIP Ginger Baker

[Kid Berwyn]

30. Hasta Siempre, Hermano!

[kwolf68]

31. Great drummer, Cream was amazing

But Ginger was incredibly narrow minded and his comments about heavy metal music (an art form many say Cream sorta influenced) were just wrong. Still that won't take away my respect. Jack and Ginger are now gone, EC remains of the legendary masters Cream.

[redstateblues]

32. RIP Ginger! I got to see Cream in Hotlanta in 1970

[pressbox69]

33. R.I.P.