(CelebrityAccess) — Ginger Baker, the pioneering drummer who helped bring blues and jazz to the forefront of Rock N’ Roll, died on Sunday. He was 80.
In a statement via social media on Sunday, his daughter Nettie said: “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.”
She did not provide any additional details about Baker’s passing but last month, she revealed that he had been hospitalized in critical health.
The 80-year-old Baker was known for his fast playing and complex, polyrhythmic sounds and along with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce, he was a co-founding member of the iconic rock group Cream.
Baker’s other collaborations include Blind Faith, which he co-founded with Clapton and his own group Ginger Baker’s Air Force.
He also collaborated with Gary Moore, Masters of Reality, Public Image Ltd, Hawkwind, Atomic Rooster, Bill Laswell, Charlie Haden, Bill Frisell, and Ginger Baker’s Energy.
Following news of his passing, his colleagues in the music world paid tribute to the late artist.
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
Sad news hearing that Ginger Baker has died, I remember playing with him very early on in Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated. He was a fiery but extremely talented and innovative drummer. pic.twitter.com/tZg3IGwP4Z
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) October 6, 2019
