Legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker passes away at 80 in Britain

The volatile and propulsive drummer for the band Cream, Ginger Baker died on October 6 at the age of 80. Baker's family posted about his demise on Twitter that he died peacefully in hospital. The drummer's daughter, Nettie confirmed that he was in Britain, but gave no further details. On September 25, the family informed about Baker being critically ill and being admitted to the hospital. Once ranked as the third-greatest rock drummer of all time by the Rolling Stone magazine, Baker was also an arranger, composer and student of the craft. His worldwide admirers saw him as an all-rounder, sophisticated musician. 

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An embodiment of musical fury

Baker, who also ranked alongside The Who's Keith Moon and Led Zeppelin's John Braham as an embodiment of musical as well as personal fury. With blazing eyes, orange hair and playing his twin bass drums, Baker was known to fashion a pounding, a poly-rhythmic style which was uncommonly swift also inspired countless musicians. His every beat seemed to set an offset eruption, irrespective of his violent dislike of Cream bandmate Jack Bruce or his on-camera assault of a documentary maker, Jay Bulger, whom he smashed in the nose with his walking stick. Bulger called the film released in 2012, “Beware of Mr. Baker”. 

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'Distinctive personality'

Ginger Baker had been playing jazz since a teenager and spent many years in Africa in the 1970s forming a close friendship with Fela Kuti, the Nigerian musician-activist. Stewart Copeland of the Police told that Baker was so unique and had a distinctive personality. He further said that nobody else followed in his footsteps. Everybody tried to be John Braham and copy his licks, but it is uncommon that people hear anybody doing his thing. The band was formed in 1966 and consisted of Baker, bassist Jack Bruce, and guitarist Eric Clapton. Sunshine of Your Love, White Room, Crossroads, and Strange Brew are some of their super hits. The band is considered to be a supergroup as the band was formed by already established musicians. The band split in 1968 after two years and reunited for the first time in 1993 when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. The band received a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2006. 

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