Ginger Baker Evolution Through The Years

Peter “Ginger” Baker was born on Aug. 19, 1939, in Lewisham, England. As a young teenager at 15, he started playing the drums. In the early 60s’ he took drumming lessons from Phil Seamen, the well-known, and well-respected jazz musicians in England.

Ginger Baker’s first band was Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated and his first encounter with bassist Jack Bruce and built their friendship.

In 1966, Baker, Bruce met with Eric Clapton to form Cream. The powerhouse trio would quickly dominate the rock scene as one of the most innovative bands in their generation. The trio released four albums together, Fresh Cream, Disraeli Gears, Wheels of Fire and Goodbye — and broke up in 1968 due to the never-ending dispute between Baker and Bruce.

Clapton and Baker would move forward and collaborate on their next project, the supergroup, Blind Faith with Steve Winwood and bassist Ric Grech but only managed to release one album before disbanding.

Baker’s then went on to form his own band called, Ginger Baker’s Air Force but only lasted until 1971.

In the mid-’70s he formed the group Baker Gurvitz Army. And in the 80s’ and 90s’ he would just go on collaborating with various artists and musicians including prog-rock group Hawkwind, electronic artist Bill Laswell, hard-rockers Masters of Reality and post-punk band Public Image Ltd.

And was inducted in 1993 with Cream into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that led them to reunite again for a performance. And in 2005, the trio would reunite again for a series of reunion shows, including Royal Albert Hall in London and New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Baker passed away on October 6, 2019, at the age of 80 due to an extended health battle. He will be remembered most for his musical legacy, and for his influence.

Here’s a look back at Ginger Baker’s Evolution through the years: