Cream

Randy had a series called Three Piece (Suits Me) that ran a few weeks ago. Thank you, Randy, for inviting me to do this! I’ll take any excuse to write about Cream. When I think of a power trio…no offense to ZZ Top, but Cream is the first one that comes to mind. It was an all-star band that was super aggressive live and translated well in the studio. Either one of the members could have been musically the star of any band. 

Cream was widely regarded as the first supergroup in rock history. They consisted of three legendary musicians: Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker. Cream was formed in July 1966 when Clapton, Bruce, and Baker—all already established musicians—came together to create a band that fused blues, rock, jazz, and psychedelia. The name “Cream” signified that they were the “cream of the crop” in the British music scene. They each had a rich history before Cream.

Clapton had played with The Yardbirds and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers..Bruce and Baker had been part of The Graham Bond Organization. Bruce also had briefly worked together with Manfred Mann. Clapton and Baker were forming the band and Eric had just played with Jack Bruce and wanted him in this. Clapton said: When Ginger invited me to join, I asked him who else was in the band. He said, “I don’t know yet. So I suggested Jack. He said, “No, what did you have to go and mention him for?” I said, “Because I just played with him and he’s a great bass player and you guys played together with Graham Bond and Alexis, so I thought you’d be pleased.” And he said, “No, we don’t get on very well at all.” So I withdrew at that point. Then I said I would only go in with Ginger if he would go in with Jack. So he had to say OK.

Eric Clapton was confident in his guitar playing but less so in his singing. Early on, it was decided that Jack Bruce would take on the role of the band’s primary singer and songwriter. However, as time went on, Clapton contributed more as both a writer and vocalist. Bruce collaborated with poet Pete Brown to write the band’s songs.

Cream’s debut album, Fresh Cream, was released in 1966, featuring tracks like I Feel Free, NSU, and Spoonful. While the album made an impact, it was their second release, Disraeli Gears, that truly propelled them to fame, with standout songs like “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew.”

Released in 1968, Wheels of Fire featured Cream’s iconic cover of Crossroads and White Room, which became one of their signature songs. However, behind the scenes, tensions between Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker were escalating, proving too much for the more laid-back Eric Clapton.

By the end of the year, the band decided to call it quits, playing a farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall and releasing a final album fittingly titled Goodbye. The album included Badge, one of my favorite Cream songs, co-written by George Harrison.

Cream had a huge influence on rock, blues, metal, and bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Rush, and Van Halen. At the time the only other band like them was another trio called The Jimi Hendrix Experience with Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell, Noel Redding, and later Billy Cox replacing Redding. 

They did reunite a few times through the years. The first time was not publicized or open to the public. In 1979 Eric Clapton married Pattie Boyd and he invited Cream, three Beatles, Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman, Elton John, and David Bowie. Cream did play and so did Paul, George, and Ringo. Pattie said that somehow Lennon wasn’t sent an invite but he said he would have gone if he would have known. 

In 1993 they reunited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when they were inducted. They also reunited for two sets of shows in 2005. One with four shows at the Royal Albert Hall and three shows at Madison Square Garden. Yes, there was still friction between Bruce and Baker at that time. That fact made it impossible for them to do any more shows. Bruce passed away in 2014 and Baker in 2019…effectively ending Cream. 

I will say they made the most out of their short window. They influenced countless rock and roll bands through the years. Eric Clapton never sounded as good again as he did with Cream. Part of that reason is he was pushed because of the trio format that we are celebrating today!

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

48 thoughts on “Cream”

  2. I was a big fan of the Bluesbreakers and Cream. The first album of theirs I bought was Wheels of Fire. It is one of the few albums I parted with voluntarily. I ultimately decided it was overblown, bombastic, self-indulgent noise. (Maybe that goes along with a band calling itself “Cream”.) That’s probably sacrilege to many. Maybe I should just say I found I was no longer listening to it. Maybe I should give it another listen since I sold it maybe 40 years ago.

    Or maybe I should have parted with my money when I was younger…

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    1. What got me was the level of musicanship even on the hard ones. They were basically battling each other through their live sets but stayed on course. I think the other guys pushed Clapton to play and not relax like he does on his solo stuff.

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    2. In the words of Clapton, “extended solos and maestro bullshit”. Yes, they could be a bit indulgent at times, but, to paraphrase a quote from another blog about Yes, one can’t totally rebut them with “now where did I put my Pistol’s record”. Yes, some was a bit indulgent, and when he died Baker was still trying to find a way to end “Toad”. But songs like “White Room”, “Those were the Days” (power trio, falsetto vocals, and hand bells) are some of the greatest songs ever written.

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  5. I read this post when it was on Randy’s site and Cream was the group that changed everything for me, as I was not really interested in music before I started listening to them.

    I just read this great article on Medium about Alex Chilton, and I will share the link with you here, and I hope that you are able to read it.

    View at Medium.com

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      1. My friends formed this band in 1969 which was called The Fugs, stolen from another group and I used to watch them practice. The drummer was good, and I knew the lead guitarist better than the other guys. They played a lot of Cream covers and that is how I got into them.

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  7. Max, I didn’t know this: “reunited for two sets of shows in 2005. One with four shows at the Royal Albert Hall and three shows at Madison Square Garden. ” Knew about RAH but not MSG. I think RAH is available but not sure about MSG? You know how I feel about this group, as a group and individually.

    Did I read this first at Randy’s blog? If so I missed that info about 2 locations for reunion shows when I did.

    Happy Friday!

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  8. Yes, I told you that the light goes up and down
    Don’t you notice how the wheel goes ’round?
    And you’d better pick yourself up from the ground
    Before they bring the curtain down
    Yes, before they bring the curtain down

    Some of my all time favorite lyrics. Everything about the song–its enigmatic title, the deceptively delicate vocals, the groovy bass and kaleidoscope guitar that breaks off into a mean solo. A fantastic composition.

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    1. Yes it is…and Ringo came up with the line of I told you ’bout the swans, that they live in the park.
      It is great musically and lyrically.

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    1. I think they bickered to the end. I wonder how many times Eric got between them? Oh yea…their influence is still going.

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      1. Bruce and Baker were hardcore. I heard Brownie McGee and Sonny Terry had the same kind of relationship and played together for years.
        I just listened to the first Cream album the other day. Probably into a thousand listens by now.

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      2. I just listened to the most unlikely Cream song…Anyone For Tennis. I don’t know why CB… I just smile when I hear that song.

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  12. I was always on the fence when it came to Cream…looking back though yeah…I remember loving a live album, and sleepy time time….Clapton’s always been a chameleon, always changing…and played with so many others…even classical player Liona Boyd..

    the tri thing is interesting…it almost has become a Canadian thing with Triump, Rush, Wide Mouth Mason, the Stampeders, and I think there’s a few others I can’t remember the names of…..I think the Tea Party

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    1. I always liked Triumph more than Rush…I guess I was odd… but I saw them in the 80s…Rik is a hell of a guitar player with a great voice.

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  14. Another group where I don’t know much besides their well-known material. “Badge” is definitely my favorite of theirs. My sister left a vinyl copy of Wheels Of Fire at my house years ago. Might have given it a couple of spins. They definitely had the musical talent. Ginger Baker always struck me as slightly unhinged. Oh well, he was a very good drummer, and they definitely made their mark.

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    1. On Baker WAS unhinged. If you want to watch an entertaining doc…watch “Beware Mr Baker”…he doesn’t hide a thing. Him and Jack Bruce could not stop arguing…I can only imagine what Eric felt like in the middle.
      They do have some really great songs.

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    1. When we get that time machine…they are one of the bands we are going to see…bring some cotton for your ears and lets go!
      Eric never sounded better because Baker and Bruce pushed him.

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  16. Interesting how old Clapton was when he disbanded Cream and was already God.

    I remember an interview with Clapton in which he said that he disbanded Cream because he had heard The Band’s Music from Big Pink and thought “now that’s what I want to play: not extended solos and maestro bullshit, but just good funky songs”.

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    1. Years later, in an interview with Robbie Robertson, the interviewer mentioned the Clapton quote. Robertson: “What a bummer! I’m a big fan of Cream!”

      While the Stratocaster is a great guitar for many types of music, including some blues, I liked Clapton better when he played humbucking Gibsons: SG, Les Paul, ES-335.

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      1. Phillip…you are talking my language now…when Cream regrouped…I hated to see him play the Strat…I thought….Eric… bring out the Les Paul or SG…He just ditched them after Cream.

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    2. Yea Clapton couldn’t stick with any band a long time. Yardbirds, Traffic, Derek and the Dominos…it seems like he wasn’t happy unless he was on his own. But…I could see loving the Band.

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  17. My four most favourite Cream songs, thanks Max! I don’t think (but can’t be sure!) that I saw them live all together but did get to see Clapton solo and playing with other people.

    I’ve always love the original Farewell Concert and still watch it from time to time (on youtube), its rawness is pretty much what makes it – all that animosity they had for each other found a useful outlet. But what was the friction about, between Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce do you think? Was it just clashing egos or did it go deeper than that?

    And, much as I loved Cream – this Jack Bruce/Gary Moore take on Sunshine of your love is brilliant, watch:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXvOT0obEj0

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    1. That is such a great question about the feud between them. I know whatever it was it started in The Graham Bond Organisation. Clashing egos and some musicianship things….but that doesn’t answer your question. They played great together though!

      Poor Clapton was stuck in the middle. Clapton never stayed with any band long but I can see why he wanted out.
      Have you seen the documentary of “Beware Mr. Baker”? That is something to see! He hits the interviewer with his cane. The guy was mental.

      I love that track of Garry Moore…I did a post on BLT the other day with Bruce and Robin Trower….some great music.

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      1. No, I’ve not seen the documentary, I’ll look out for it.

        Yeah, after I posted that video in my comment (Gary Moore/Jack Bruce) I saw your post!

        Thanks for your email, will reply in due course.

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