Ginger Baker has undergone open-heart surgery.

Ginger Baker

Ginger Baker

The 76-year-old Cream drummer had to cancel gigs earlier in the year after he was diagnosed with a heart condition and he then suffered a bad fall which led to other medical complications.

Now his daughter Leda - whose mother is Liz Finch - has confirmed he's had an operation to improve his health and is on the "road to recovery".

Speaking to Mirror.co.uk, she said: "Ginger 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 OK, albeit it was a rather disorientated and unintelligible conversation but he was at least awake and aware.

"The fall has resulted in swollen legs and feet which he is seeing a doctor about in the next day or so."

However, Leda - who has an older sister Ginette and younger brother Kofi - doesn't think her dad will be in a position to perform live again with his band Air Force 3 or anyone else for some time, if ever again.

She added: "Although he is recovering any performance in the near future seems over ambitious."

Ahead of his operation, Ginger opened up on what his options were and his hopes to play drums again on stage.

He said: "There are two options for surgery. Depending on how strong my old lungs are, they may do both. The doctor says he's going to get me playing again."

Ginger founded legendary rock band Cream in 1966 with late bass player Jack Bruce and guitarist Eric Clapton and their rock/blues sound resulted in songs such as 'Sunshine of Your Love', 'I Feel Free' and 'Crossroads'.

The British band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.


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