Cream Drummer Ginger Baker “Critically Ill” In Hospital

The legendary drummer and founding member of Cream, Ginger Baker, is reportedly “critically ill’ and in the hospital, his family confirmed on social media today, 25 September.

“The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital. Please keep him in your prayers tonight,” reads the post on his official socials.

The iconic stickman recently celebrated his 80th birthday last month on 19 August. While no further details have been confirmed, Baker had previously revealed from he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic back pain as a result of degenerative osteoarthritis back in 2013.

He also underwent successful open-heart surgery after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition in July 2016.

Baker’s daughter, Nettie Baker, has been the biggest champion of her father’s legacy, without glossing over his rock’n’roll past. She published her second memoir, More Tales Of A Rock Star’s Daughter earlier this year.

He was also the subject of a 2013 documentary, Beware Of Mr. Baker, that crystallised his image as a hard-living, prolific musician with self-destructive tendencies.

Baker founded Cream in 1966 along with Eric Clapton and bassist Jack Bruce, together the trio released four albums – Fresh Cream, Disraeli Gears, Wheels Of Fire and Goodbye – before the group split up in 1968.

Before their break-up, Cream sold 15 million albums, spawning such classic rock hits as ‘White Room’, ‘Strange Brew’ and ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’.

Baker and Clapton then went on to form the supergroup Blind Faith with Steve Winwood of Traffic and Family bassist Ric Grech, who only released one album.

While Cream helped to establish the power-trio in rock, their pioneering fusion of rock, blues and jazz made them one of the most influential bands of the 60s and turned Baker into the genre’s first star drummer.

This story is still developing.