Veteran rocker Ginger Baker has revealed live shows are becoming a big problem for him – because he’s too exhausted to enjoy them.
The former Cream drummer suffers from degenerative osteoarthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and admits performing onstage is no longer fun.
Baker tells Rolling Stone, “It’s troubling. At the end of the gig I’m absolutely exhausted… When we’re actually playing, it’s the good bit, and after is not so good.
“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.”
But Baker insists he can’t afford not to perform: “You have to earn money to live, don’t you? I’m not a super rich person.”
The veteran rocker’s Jazz Confusion, which also features saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and bassist Alec Dankworth, will wrap up a run of dates at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club on Sunday night (13Oct13).