Ginger Baker is recovering from heart surgery and Fall

The 76-year-old Cream founder was forced to cancel gigs earlier this year when he was diagnosed with serious undisclosed heart problems. The surgery took place in mid June. Around that time, Baker also suffered a bad fall that resulted in swollen legs and feet, according to his daughter, Leda.

Leda says Baker, who founded Cream in 1966 with bassist Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton,  is “on the road to recovery. After open heart surgery and a bad fall he is miraculously recovering well.”

“He called the day after his surgery to say he was okay. Albeit a rather disorientated and unintelligible conversation he was at least awake and aware.”

Baker “aims to ultimately get behind his kit again” to perform with his band, Air Force 3, though that seems unlikely, according to his daughter.

“Although he is recovering any performance in the near future seems over ambitious,” she writes.

Baker was forced to cancel a tour with Air Force 3 last February after he was diagnosed with what he called “serious heart problems.” Baker announced his condition on his web site, writing, “Just seen doctor … big shock … no more gigs for this old drummer … everything is off … of all things I never thought it would be my heart.”

He had told the press in 2013 that he was in poor health. “It’s troubling,” he said. “At the end of the gig I’m absolutely exhausted. I’ve got degenerative osteoarthritis, which is extremely painful and I’m on a regiment with a health service pain management control. Apart from that I’ve got COPD from smoking.”

Baker was among the performers who paid tribute to Jack Bruce at the Roundhouse in London last October on the one-year anniversary of his death. Baker played on “We’re Going Wrong” and “Sunshine of Your Love,” during which he exhibited some displeasure and walked off. You can see performances of both songs below.