Ginger Baker, the hard-hitting and wild drummer for the band Cream, died peacefully at the age of 80.
In 1966, Baker formed the band when he and bassist Jack Bruce, who previously worked together in the bands Blues Incorporated and Graham Bond Organisation, enlisted Eric Clapton on guitar.
The three would define the sound of psychedelic rock with Baker bringing a jazz style of drumming to rock and recording one of the first drum solos to rock on the song "Toad."
Baker also brought a hard-hitting style of playing the drums and used two bass drums in his kit, two things that helped define the style of rock and heavy metal drumming.
Cream released four albums in their initial three year existence which sold over 15 million copies worldwide behind songs like "Sunshine of Your Love," "Strange Brew," and "Outside Woman Blues."
After Cream, Baker moved to Nigeria in 1971 and built a recording studio to host local musicians and the likes of Paul McCartney's Wings. He also lived in Italy, South Africa, Colorado and California.
Baker's Facebook page says he passed away peacefully.
Source: TheGuardian.com
Photo: Getty Images