Ginger Baker, the British drummer who was best known for his work with Cream, died on Oct. 6 at age 80, his family said.
Baker’s family said on Twitter that he died Sunday: “We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully in hospital this morning.”
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.
— Ginger Baker (@GingerBDrums) 6 oktober 2019
His daughter Nettie confirmed that Baker died in Britain but gave no other details. The family had said on Sept. 25 that Baker was critically ill in the hospital.
Following his death, tributes poured in on social media.
“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,” said former Beatles member Paul McCartney on Twitter.
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
Baker once said that he never practiced the drums before he started as a 15-year-old.
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
“I’d never sat behind a kit before, but I sat down—and I could play!” he told The Guardian in 2009. “One of the musicians turned round and said … ‘We’ve got a drummer’, and I thought… I’m a drummer!’”
Other details about his death, including the cause, are not clear.
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The Associated Press and Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report.