Revered as one of rock's most sought after drummers, adept in numerous styles, Ginger Baker is most famous for his inventive work with the band Cream. His 13-minute drum solo on 'Toad' from Cream's 1968 album 'Wheels of Fire' stands as a landmark in both his and Cream's career.
Influenced early by British jazz, he played in traditional jazz and blues groups before making his name with the Graham Bond Organisation, where he first met Jack Bruce, before assembling Cream with Bruce and Eric Clapton. The jazz-swing style that Baker added to Cream's mix of progressive rock and psychedelia was vital to their appeal, using two bass drums for additional power.
After Cream split, Baker formed supergroup Blind Faith with Steve Winwood before launching the eclectic Airforce with rock, African, jazz and blues influences. He then linked up with Adrian Gurvitz in the Baker-Gurvitz Army and continued to be active in various projects, hooking up again with Bruce and Gary Moore in BBM.
In 1971 a documentary titled 'Ginger Baker in Africa' followed his journey across the Sahara Desert to set up a recording studio in Nigeria. In 2012 documentary 'Beware of Mr. Baker' explored his life and career. He had four albums with Cream and also released a number of solo albums. His last recording 'Why?' was released in 2014. He died on 6th October 2019 aged 80.
