GINGER BAKER AUGUST 19, 1939 – OCTOBER 6, 2019

Joplin.” Ginger tried to quit heroin “something like 29 times” but scoffed that rehab was “nonsense”.

But he finally kicked the habit in 1981 when he moved to Italy and started olive farming.

After surviving numerous health issues and heart surgery, Ginger reportedly said: “I can’t be killed.”

His first wife, Elizabeth Ann Baker, once said: “If a plane went down and there was one survivor, it would be Ginger. The devil takes care of his own.”

Born Peter Edward Baker in Lewisham, south London, shortly before the Second World War, he was nicknamed Ginger for his red hair and started playing the drums at the age of 15.

In the 1960s, he took lessons from Phil Seamen – one of the leading British jazz drummers – and first teamed up with Cream bassist Jack Bruce in Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated.

He then splintered off to form Graham Bond Organisation in 1963 but tensions led to the bandmates having full-blown fights onstage.

Three years later, Ginger cofounded rock group Cream with Eric Clapton and Jack, and the band went on to have hits with songs such as Sunshine Of Your Love. The group disbanded with a farewell concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1968 – just two years after they formed.

Speaking in 2009, Ginger – who claimed he rarely practised – said: “I didn’t get any of the writing credits.

“It will **** me off for the rest of my life.”

Ginger later joined groups Blind Faith and Air Force and in 1973 he set up a recording studio in Lagos, Nigeria, where Paul McCartney and Wings recorded their Band On The Run album.

Paying tribute yesterday, Sir Paul said: “Ginger Baker, great drummer, wild and lovely guy. Sad to hear that he died but the memories never will.”

Jack Bruce’s family also praised “one of the greatest drummers of all time” online and remembered the pair’s “love-hate relationship”.

It was said that Jack phoned Ginger when he was just hours from death in 2014 to say goodbye.

It is claimed he said: “I’m Ginger, **** you.”

He then reportedly put the phone down and refused to answer Ginger’s calls, having complained that he always had to have the last word.

Ginger is survived by his three children, Ginette, Leda and Kofi. dying,