Ginger Baker, esteemed as one of the most virtuosic drummers ever to sit behind a kit
through his innovative work with English rock bands Cream and the short-lived Blind Faith,
died on Sunday. He was 80.
His Facebook page posted, "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."
Baker’s family had previously issued statements on Twitter and Facebook saying that he was
"critically ill" and asking fans to "please keep him in your prayers."
Baker revealed in 2013 that he had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after a lifetime
of smoking. He underwent open-heart surgery in 2016. He also suffered chronic back pain
from degenerative osteoarthritis.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-10-06/ginger-baker-obituary-virtuoso-drummer-cream-dead