Time is running out for Ginger Baker, founding drummer of Cream.
“The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital,” read a tweet on Wednesday. “Please keep him in your prayers tonight.”
No further information was provided but it is known that Baker, 80, has had a series of health challenges in recent years. In 2013, he shared that he had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after years of smoking as well as degenerative osteoarthritis. In 2016, he underwent open heart surgery.
Baker and Eric Clapton formed Cream in 1966 and later, with Ric Grech, founded Blind Faith. More recently, he toured with his quartet, Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion.
His life and career were chronicled in the 2012 documentary, Beware of Mr. Baker.
Born Peter Baker in London, he has been married four times and has three adult children.