Though they recorded just one album, Blind Faith made quite an impact. The British supergroup, whose members prominently arrived from Cream and Traffic, only released a self-titled album in 1969, though its repertoire – including such classic rock staples as “Can’t Find My Way Home,” “Sea of Joy” and “Had to Cry Today,” reads like a greatest hits album.
The short-lived quartet featured Traffic’s Steve Winwood, Ric Grech, and Cream alums Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. They made their live debut like no other band: performing in London’s Hyde Park on June 7, 1969, before an audience estimated at 100,000.
How young they were! At that performance, Winwood was just 21 years-old, Clapton was 24, Grech was 22 and Baker, was the “old man” at 29.
On Oct. 9, 2019, Eric Clapton posted this photo on his Facebook page, in tribute to Ginger Baker
Upon hearing the news of the passing of his former bandmate, Baker, at 80 on October 6, 2019, Winwood mourned “a very sensitive human being with a heart of gold.” See his full tribute below.
Three days after Baker’s death, Clapton chose a simple way to offer his tribute. On Oct. 9, Slowhand posted an image of his bandmate, with just one word: “Ginger…..”
On Oct. 31, Clapton shared a musical tribute. Hear it below.
Here’s Winwood’s entire tribute:
“A very sad loss, and my condolences to his family and friends.
A loss also for his contribution to music. He was well-grounded in jazz from very early on, and later managed to combine this with African and rock music to create his own inimitable style of playing.
I was lucky to play with him in Ginger Baker’s Air Force, and to meet and work with such luminaries as Phil Seamen, Harold McNair and Graham Bond. And also in Blind Faith with Eric Clapton and Rick Grech. Although his appointment was very unorthodox (he showed up on the doorstep and said, ‘Here I am’) – he made a great contribution to the Blind Faith album which has withstood the test of time.
Beneath his somewhat abrasive exterior, there was a very sensitive human being with a heart of gold.
He’ll be missed.”
On Oct. 31, Clapton shared a lovely, instrumental performance of the traditional Irish song, “Danny Boy.” His post simply read: “For Peter Edward……..ec”
His former bandmate was born Peter Edward Baker on August 19, 1939.
Clapton has recorded and performed the song before. Among the many comments on Clapton’s Facebook page was one from Baker’s certified account, which read: “Thank you 💔💖 “
Following a tour of Europe and the U.S., Blind Faith split up. In its aftermath, Baker formed Ginger Baker’s Air Force. Among its members: Winwood and Grech.
Watch Blind Faith perform a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb” at the Hyde Park concert
Related: Baker was also mourned by Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, and others
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4 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationThis is a great tribute for a superb musician.
Thank you for the awesome music!
When great musicians get together and play, magic seems to happen, it certainly did with these guys, A meeting between Traffic and Cream, they could play the telephone book and make it sound great.
So happy to have been born when we had great musicians, doing their thing when they were at or near the peak of their creativity. I wouldn’t trade that era for anything, just because of the music.
We were lucky my friends, very lucky.
Stevie, You are a very honorable man for paying tribute to Ginger Baker. He will be sorely missed. Again, you are a good kind friend and man. Cathy Allen
The thunder you hear from heaven will be Ginger on his drums.