Musical artists from around the world are mourning the loss of legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker, who died Sunday (Oct. 6. He was 80.
Musicians like Paul McCartney, Brian May, Mick Jagger, Questlove and others expressed their condolences on social media after learning the sad news about Baker’s death.
“Ginger Baker, great drummer, wild and lovely guy,” McCartney tweeted, adding an anecdote about working in Baker’s recording studio while recording Wings’ Band on the Run. “Sad to hear that he died but the memories never will.”
The jazz-rock drummer’s death follows a 2016 fall in his home and subsequent open heart surgery after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
Baker leaves behind a legacy as the drummer for Cream, his 1960s power trio with guitarist Eric Clapton and bassist Jack Bruce that tossed up the blues with sunshine-pop, hitting the Billboard Hot 100 hard with “Sunshine of Your Love” (No. 5) and “White Room” (No. 6) in 1968.
Read more tributes to Baker below.
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
Thank you Ginger Baker.
— Jay Weinberg (@jayweinbergdrum) October 6, 2019
RIP the great Ginger Baker. The reason so many drummers wanted a double-bass drum. #GingerBaker pic.twitter.com/FXXWsxmsqo
— Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) October 6, 2019
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
RIP Ginger Baker. One of the greatest drummers of all time. Begin with Cream’s Disraeli Gears. https://t.co/dObwjvWrva
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) October 6, 2019
The Bruce family would like to extend their sincere condolences to Ginger Baker’s family, friends and fans. Surviving a love hate relationship, Ginger was like an older brother to Jack, their chemistry was truly spectacular. RIP Ginger, one of the greatest drummers of all time ?? pic.twitter.com/G9Pl4Qecdp
— Jack Bruce (@jackbrucemusic) October 6, 2019
The primal, nuanced, angry power of Mr. Baker also describes who he was.Combining his character with his talent he lashed out at the world, rocked it & massaged it like no one else. Peace at last. RIP Ginger Baker. pic.twitter.com/kyvmpG5WHq
— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) October 6, 2019
Statement on the passing of Ginger Baker: https://t.co/ScvekUVqKe pic.twitter.com/nZwCoG1rUX
— Steve Winwood (@SteveWinwood) October 6, 2019
Rest In Peace Ginger Baker pic.twitter.com/PR5OYRghci
— Antibalas (@Antibalas) October 6, 2019
RIP The great Ginger Baker RS pic.twitter.com/IffPlHa6Zm
— Ron Sexsmith (@RonSexsmith) October 6, 2019
RIP Ginger Baker — pic.twitter.com/Z1J29yNmQJ
— Keith Carlock (@KeithCarlock) October 6, 2019
Sad news hearing that Ginger Baker has died, I remember playing with him very early on in Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated. He was a fiery but extremely talented and innovative drummer. pic.twitter.com/tZg3IGwP4Z
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) October 6, 2019
God bless Ginger Baker incredible musician wild And inventive. drummer Peace and love to his family –??–??——?? pic.twitter.com/jzAynDMEKy
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) October 6, 2019
RIP. Ginger Baker. The fills on White Room always got me.
— Lol Tolhurst (@LolTolhurst) October 6, 2019
I’m sorry to hear that Ginger Baker passed. He was a great drummer and we all were fans of Cream back then. “Sunshine Of Your Love” was a great one. Love & Mercy, Brian
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) October 6, 2019
Rest well Ginger. Thank you for all that you gave us. ??https://t.co/EflIPdg320
— Stone Temple Pilots (@STPBand) October 6, 2019