Ginger Baker RIP

Ginger Baker, one of the most innovative and influential drummers in rock music, has died at the age of 80 on Sunday 7/10/2019.  Nicknamed Ginger for his flaming red hair, the musician was born Peter Edward Baker in Lewisham, south London, shortly before World War Two. A co-founder of Cream, he also played with Blind Faith, Hawkwind, Baker Gurvitz Army, Airforce, Fela Kuti and many renown Jazz musicians like Bill Frisell in a long and varied career over 60 years. Away from music, his other passion was initially cycling and later he took up rally driving and developed a love of polo, building up a sizeable collection of ponies, despite his tendency to get injured. 

The musician fought osteoarthritis to record his final album, Why?, in 2014. Two years later, he underwent open heart surgery and announced his retirement from touring.

"Just seen doctor… big shock… no more gigs for this old drummer... everything is off," he wrote on his official blog in 2014. "Of all things I never thought it would be my heart."

CREAM - Spoonful (live 1968)

Cream - Ginger Baker  Farewell Concert 

(Royal Albert Hall, London.

November 26th, 1968)

Ginger Baker's Air Force Live 1970

Ginger Baker jams with Nigerian Afro-Rock artistes 

in Lagos, Nigeria in 1971.

 rare early footage (shot by Ginger Baker) featuring Fela & Afrika 70 

BAKER GURVITZ ARMY - Live 1975

GINGER BAKER´s ENERGY "That's Alright Mama":

(Vienna,17.3.1980)

BBM (Jack Bruce - Ginger Baker - Gary Moore)

(Live Cologne, 1993)

Ginger Baker: In The Moment & Drum Solo 1995 

(with Bill Frisell - Charlie Haden)

Cream - Toad live at Royal Albert Hall, London.

Ginger Baker Live @ The Jazz Cafe 2009

Last time I saw him live!

Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion 

feat. Pee Wee Ellis au New Morning, Paris 2015

Ginger Baker Pee Wee Ellis Alec Dankworth Abass Dodoo 

at Jazz Cafe 3/4/2018

Ginger Baker pays tribute to Jack Bruce

DOCUMENTARIES

Ginger Baker & Fela Kuti: 

How Two Neurotic Musicians Made The Best Music Nobody Heard

Beware of Mr. Baker documentary

Full documentary!

Interviews:

Ginger Baker Interview on Beware of Mr Baker Q&A

Ginger Baker has a valuable lesson drummed into him

Last message from April 4 2019

Obituaries:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/oct/06/ginger-baker-obituary

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ginger-baker-cream-dead-obituary-240630/