Ginger Baker: Cream drummer ‘critically ill’ in hospital, family say
Artist has suffered from a number of health problems in recent years, and underwent open heart surgery in 2016
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Your support makes all the difference.Cream’s co-founder and drummer Ginger Baker is critically ill in hospital, according to his family who shared the news on his official Twitter account.
“The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital,” the family’s statement reads. “Please keep him in your prayers tonight.”
No further details regarding Baker’s illness have been disclosed.
Baker has suffered from a number of health issues in recent years. He underwent open heart surgery in 2016 after being forced to cancel a tour with his band Air Force after being diagnosed with “serious heart problems”.
He told Rolling Stone in 2013 that his health was “not good” and that performing exhausted him.
“I’ve got degenerative osteoarthritis, which is extremely painful and I’m on a regiment with a health service pain management control,” he said. “Apart from that I’ve got COPD from smoking.”
Baker co-founded Cream in 1966 with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. The band released four albums before splitting in 1968, after which he formed the short-lived band Blind Faith with Clapton, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech.
He launched the band Air Force in 1970 and has released a number of solo albums, including his most recent, Why?, in 2014. He was named number three on Rolling Stones’ 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time, and is the subject of the documentary Beware of Mr Baker.
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