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Cream
Cream in 2005
Cream in 2005
Background information
Origin London, England
Genre(s) Hard rock, blues-rock, psychedelic rock, acid rock, heavy metal[1]
Years active 1966 - 1968
(reunions: 1993, 2005)
Label(s) Reaction, Polydor, Atco, RSO
Associated acts Derek and The Dominos, Graham Bond Organization, The Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Powerhouse, Blind Faith, BBM, Ginger Baker's Air Force, The Dirty Mac
Former members
Jack Bruce
Eric Clapton
Ginger Baker

Cream were a 1960s British rock band comprising guitarist Eric Clapton, bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Hard rock (also referred to as heavy rock) is a variation of Rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage and Psychedelic rock Blues-rock is a hybrid musical genre combining Bluesy improvisations over the 12-bar blues and extended Boogie jams with Rock Psychedelic rock is a style of Rock music that attempts to replicate the mind-altering experiences of hallucinogenic drugs. For "acid rock" as a geologic term see Igneous rock. Acid rock is a form of Psychedelic rock, which is characterized In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Reaction Records was an "Independent" British Record label run by music executive Robert Stigwood in 1966 and 1967. Polydor Records is a Record label currently headquartered in the UK, and is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Atco Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment. RSO Records was a Record label, formed by Rock and roll and Musical theatre impresario Robert Stigwood in 1973 Derek and the Dominos were a Blues-rock supergroup formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton with keyboardist Bobby Whitlock Graham John Clifton Bond ( 28 October, 1937 in Romford, East London, England &ndash 8 May, 1974 at Finsbury The Yardbirds are an English rock band noted for starting the careers of three of rock's most famous Guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers are a pioneering English blues band led by Singer, Songwriter, and Eric Clapton's Powerhouse (also referred to as (The Powerhouse or Eric Clapton and (the Powerhouse) was a one-off British Blues studio Blind Faith were an English blues-rock band that consisted of Eric Clapton Ginger Baker's Air Force was a jazz-rock fusion band comprising Ginger Baker on drums Steve Winwood on organ and vocals Ric Grech on violin The Dirty Mac were an English supergroup consisting of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell that John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce (born 14 May 1943 is a Scottish -born musician composer and Singer. Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945 is an English Blues-rock Guitarist, singer Songwriter and Composer Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (born 19 August 1939 Lewisham, South London) is an English Drummer. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. A musical ensemble is a group of two or more Musicians who perform instrumental or vocal Music. A guitarist is a Musician who plays the Guitar. Guitarists may perform solo pieces or play with ensembles and bands of a wide variety of genres Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945 is an English Blues-rock Guitarist, singer Songwriter and Composer A bass player (bassist is a Musician who plays a Double bass, Bass guitar, keyboard bass or wind John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce (born 14 May 1943 is a Scottish -born musician composer and Singer. A drummer is a Musician who plays a Drum or drums particularly a Drum kit ("drum set" or "trap set" Marching percussion Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (born 19 August 1939 Lewisham, South London) is an English Drummer. They were celebrated as the first great power trio and supergroup of rock. The power trio is a Rock and roll band format popularized in the 1960s SuperGroup is a Reality show on the channel VH1. The show puts together five Heavy metal musicians packed into a large mansion that must play a show after Their sound was characterised by a hybrid of blues, pop and psychedelic rock. The Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of Music based on the use of the Blue notes It emerged as an accessible form of self-expression Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Psychedelic rock is a style of Rock music that attempts to replicate the mind-altering experiences of hallucinogenic drugs. Cream combined Clapton's blues guitar playing with the powerful voice and intense basslines of Jack Bruce and the jazz-influenced drumming of Ginger Baker. Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States They have sold over 35 million albums worldwide. Wheels of Fire was the world's first platinum-selling album. Wheels of Fire is the name of a double album recorded by Cream. [2]

Cream's music included songs based on traditional blues such as "Crossroads" and "Spoonful", and modern blues such as "Born Under a Bad Sign", as well as more eccentric songs such as "Strange Brew", "Tales of Brave Ulysses" and "Toad". " Cross Road Blues " is one of Delta Blues singer Robert Johnson 's most famous Songs The Lyrics plainly have the narrator attempting " Spoonful " is a Blues standard written by Willie Dixon and lyrically based on Charley Patton 's "Spoonful Blues" Born Under a Bad Sign is a Blues album by Albert King, recorded between 1966 and 1967and released in 1967 by Stax Records. " Tales of Brave Ulysses " is a song performed by the 1960s group Cream. " Toad " is an Instrumental by British Rock band Cream and was released on their 1966 debut album Fresh Cream. Cream's biggest hits were "I Feel Free", "Sunshine of Your Love", "White Room", "Crossroads", and "Badge". " I Feel Free " is a song first recorded by the British Blues rock band Cream. " Sunshine of Your Love " is a song by the British supergroup Cream, released on the Disraeli Gears album " White Room " written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown, is a single by Cream from their 1968 Album Wheels " Cross Road Blues " is one of Delta Blues singer Robert Johnson 's most famous Songs The Lyrics plainly have the narrator attempting " Badge " is a rock song by Cream, penned by Eric Clapton and George Harrison during a collaborative effort between Clapton Harrison and Ringo

Cream, together with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, made a significant impact upon the popular music of the time, providing a heavy yet technically proficient musical theme that foreshadowed the emergence of bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and The Jeff Beck Group in the late 1960s. "The Experience" redirects here For other uses of this term see Experience (disambiguation. Led Zeppelin were Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertfordshire in 1968 The Jeff Beck Group were an English Rock band formed in London in February 1967 by ex- Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck. The band's live performances influenced progressive rock acts, jam bands such as The Allman Brothers Band, Rush, Grateful Dead and Phish, and even heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath. Progressive rock (often shortened to " progressive " " prog " or " prog rock " is a form of Rock music that evolved Jam bands (or jambands) are musical groups whose albums and live performances relate to a fan culture which originated with the 1960s group Grateful Dead and continued The Allman Brothers Band is a Southern rock band based in Macon, Georgia. Rush is a Canadian rock band originally formed in August 1968 in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, currently comprised of The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Phish is an American Jam band noted for their Musical improvisation, extended Jam sessions and cult following Black Sabbath are an Cream took the idea of jamming to a new level, incorporating their individual virtuosity into long 20-minute jams.

Cream were ranked #16 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. VH1 (known as VH-1 Video Hits One from 1985 to 1994 and VH1 Music First until 2003) is an American Cable television

Contents

History

Formation

Cream debuted on July 17, 1966. Events 180 - Twelve inhabitants of Scillium in North Africa are executed for being Christians Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. By that time, Eric Clapton's career with The Yardbirds and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers had earned him a reputation as the premier blues guitarist in Britain. The Yardbirds are an English rock band noted for starting the careers of three of rock's most famous Guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers are a pioneering English blues band led by Singer, Songwriter, and Clapton's virtuosity and raw power with the instrument inspired one fan to spray paint the words "Clapton is God" on the wall of an Islington underground station. Islington is the central district of the London Borough of Islington. A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway or metro(politan system is an electric passenger railway [3] Clapton, however, found the environment of Mayall's band confining, and sought to expand his playing in a new band.

In 1966, Clapton met Baker, then the leader of the Graham Bond Organisation, which at one point featured Jack Bruce on bass, harmonica and piano. Graham John Clifton Bond ( 28 October, 1937 in Romford, East London, England &ndash 8 May, 1974 at Finsbury Baker, too, felt stifled in the GBO, and had grown tired of Graham Bond's drug addictions and bouts of mental instability. "I had always liked Ginger", explained Clapton. "Ginger had come to see me play with John Mayall. After the gig he drove me back to London in his Rover. I was very impressed with his car and driving. He was telling me that he wanted to start a band, and I had been thinking about it too. " Each was impressed with the other's playing abilities, prompting Baker to ask Clapton to join his new, then-unnamed group. Clapton immediately agreed, on the condition that Baker hire Jack Bruce as the group's bassist.

Clapton had met Bruce when the bassist/vocalist did a short stint with the Bluesbreakers in March 1966; the two had also worked together as part of a one-shot band called Powerhouse (which also included Steve Winwood and Paul Jones). Eric Clapton's Powerhouse (also referred to as (The Powerhouse or Eric Clapton and (the Powerhouse) was a one-off British Blues studio Stephen Lawrence "Steve" or "Stevie" Winwood (born 12 May 1948 in Handsworth, Birmingham) is an English Singer-songwriter Paul Jones (born Paul Pond 24 February 1942 in Portsmouth, England) is an English Singer, Actor, Harmonica player and Impressed with Bruce's vocals and technical prowess, Clapton had wanted to work with him on an ongoing basis.

What Clapton did not know was that while Bruce was in Bond's band, he and Baker had been notorious for their quarreling. While both were excellent jazz musicians and respected each other's skills, the confines of the GBO had proved too small for their egos. Their volatile relationship included on-stage fights and the sabotage of one another's instruments. Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening an enemy oppressor or employer through subversion obstruction disruption and/or destruction After Baker fired Bruce from the band, Bruce continued to arrive for gigs; ultimately, Bruce was driven away from the band after Baker threatened him at knifepoint.

Nevertheless, Baker and Bruce were able to put aside their differences for the good of Baker's new trio, which he envisioned as collaborative, with each of the members contributing to music and lyrics. The band was named "Cream", as Clapton, Bruce, and Baker were already considered the "cream of the crop" amongst blues and jazz musicians in the exploding British music scene. The roots of British popular music for the rest of the 20th century and into the next were set during the 1950s Before deciding upon "Cream", the band considered calling themselves "Sweet 'n' Sour Rock 'n' Roll". Of the trio, Clapton had the biggest reputation in England; however, he was all but unknown in the United States. He left The Yardbirds before "For Your Love" hit the American Top Ten. " For Your Love " is a 1965 single written by future 10cc member Graham Gouldman and performed by the British Invasion band The Yardbirds [4][5]

Shortly after the band's formation in 1966, Cream received an invitation to perform at the July 1966 "Windsor Jazz & Blues Festival". Being new and with few original songs to their credit, Cream performed spirited blues reworkings that thrilled the large crowd and earned them a warm reception. In October, they also got a chance to jam with Jimi Hendrix. James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) (November 27 1942 – September 18 1970 was an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter Hendrix was a fan of Eric Clapton, and wanted a chance to play with him onstage. Hendrix was introduced to Cream through former Animal, Chas Chandler. The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s known in the United States as part of the British Invasion. Bryan James "Chas" Chandler ( 18 December 1938 — 17 July 1996) was an English Musician, Record producer

It was during the early organization that they decided Bruce would serve as the group's lead vocalist. While Clapton was shy about singing, he occasionally harmonized with Bruce and, in time, took lead vocals on some notable Cream tunes including "Four Until Late", "Strange Brew", "Crossroads", and "Badge".

Fresh Cream

Cream's debut album, Fresh Cream, was recorded and released in 1966. Fresh Cream is Cream 's December 1966 debut Album. It was the first LP release of producer Robert Stigwood 's new "Independent" The album reached #6 in the UK charts and #39 in the United States. It mainly consisted of blues covers, including "Four Until Late", "Rollin' and Tumblin'" (written by Muddy Waters), "Spoonful" (written by Willy Dixon and recorded by Howlin' Wolf), "I'm So Glad" and "Cat's Squirrel". " Rollin' and Tumblin' " is a Blues song that has been recorded hundreds of times by various artists For the album by Redman, see Muddy Waters (album. For the college football coach see Muddy Waters (football coach. " Spoonful " is a Blues standard written by Willie Dixon and lyrically based on Charley Patton 's "Spoonful Blues" William James "Willie" Dixon ( July 1, 1915 &ndash January 29, 1992) was a well-known American Blues Bassist Chester Burnett redirects here For the American football player see Chester Burnett (American football Chester Arthur Burnett ( June 10, 1910 The rest of the album featured songs written (or co-written) by Jack Bruce, most notably "Wrapping Paper" and "I Feel Free" (which was a UK hit single, but only released on the American edition of the LP), and a couple of songs written by Ginger Baker (one of which, "Toad", contained one of the earliest examples of a drum solo in rock music). " Wrapping Paper " is a song written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown, performed by Cream and originally released as a single in 1966 " I Feel Free " is a song first recorded by the British Blues rock band Cream. " Toad " is an Instrumental by British Rock band Cream and was released on their 1966 debut album Fresh Cream. A drum solo is an instrumental solo played on a Drum kit. A drum solo may be set or improvised and of any length up to being the main performance Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums.

The early Cream bootlegs show that the band had not developed their signature jamming capabilities. A bootleg recording is an audio and/or Video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority These recordings capture a much tighter band showcasing more songs. All of the songs are reasonably short five-minute versions of "N. S. U. ", "Sweet Wine" and "Toad". But a mere two months later, the setlist had been shortened with the songs now much longer.

Disraeli Gears

 Audio sample:
  • "Sunshine Of Your Love"
    20 second sample of the song Sunshine Of Your Love as performed by Cream
  • Problems playing the files? See media help.

Cream first visited the US in March 1967 to play nine dates at the RKO Theater in New York. They returned to record Disraeli Gears in New York between May 11 and May 15, 1967. Disraeli Gears is the second album by British Blues-rock group Cream. Events 330 - Byzantium is renamed ''Nova Roma'' during a dedication ceremony but is more popularly referred to as Constantinople Events 1252 - Pope Innocent IV issues the Papal bull Ad exstirpanda, which authorizes but also limits the Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Cream's second album was released in November 1967 and reached the Top 5 in the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. It was recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York. Disraeli Gears is often considered to be the band's defining effort, successfully blending psychedelic British rock with American blues. It was also the first Cream album to consist primarily of original songs, with only three of the eleven tracks written by others outside the band. Disraeli Gears not only features hits "Strange Brew" and "Tales of Brave Ulysses", but also "Sunshine of Your Love", arguably Cream's most popular song. " Tales of Brave Ulysses " is a song performed by the 1960s group Cream. " Sunshine of Your Love " is a song by the British supergroup Cream, released on the Disraeli Gears album

Although the album is considered one of Cream's finest efforts, it is not well represented in Cream's live sets. Although they consistently played "Tales of Brave Ulysses" and "Sunshine of Your Love", a setlist consisting of several songs from Disraeli Gears was quickly dropped from the set in mid-1967 favouring longer blues jams instead of short pop songs. Only "We're Going Wrong" saw some occasional play time in their live sets. " We're Going Wrong " is a song written by Jack Bruce. (In their 2005 reunion shows, Cream only played three songs from Disraeli Gears: "Sunshine of Your Love", "We're Going Wrong", and "Outside Woman Blues". )

During late 1967, they incorporated more jamming time in their repertoire, some songs stretching out to 20 minutes. According to Jack Bruce, they were obliged to play 20-minute jams or the audience would angrily ask for their money back. Long drawn-out jams in songs like "Spoonful", "N. " Spoonful " is a Blues standard written by Willie Dixon and lyrically based on Charley Patton 's "Spoonful Blues" S. U. " and "Sweet Wine" became live favorites. Nonetheless, songs like "Sunshine of Your Love", "Crossroads" and "Tales of Brave Ulysses" remained reasonably short.

Wheels of Fire

In 1968 came Cream's third release, Wheels of Fire, which topped the American charts. Wheels of Fire is the name of a double album recorded by Cream. Wheels of Fire showcased Cream moving slightly away from the blues and more towards a semi-progressive rock style highlighted by odd time signatures and various orchestral instruments. Progressive rock (often shortened to " progressive " " prog " or " prog rock " is a form of Rock music that evolved The time signature (also known as " meter signature" is a notational convention used in Western Musical notation to specify how many beats However, the band did record a live blues favorite, "Sitting on Top of the World". " Sitting on Top of the World " (also rendered as " Sittin' on Top of the World " is a folk-blues song written by Walter Vinson (also known as The opening song, "White Room", became a popular radio staple. Another song, "Politician", was written by the band while waiting to perform live at the BBC. According to a BBC interview with Clapton, the record company, also handling Albert King, asked the band to cover "Born Under a Bad Sign", which became a popular track off the record. Albert King ( April 25 1923 &ndash December 21 1992) was an American Blues Guitarist and Singer Born Under a Bad Sign is a Blues album by Albert King, recorded between 1966 and 1967and released in 1967 by Stax Records.

The album's second disc featured three live recordings from the Winterland Ballroom and one from the Fillmore. Eric Clapton's solo in "Crossroads" has made it to the top 20 in multiple "greatest guitar solo" lists. " Cross Road Blues " is one of Delta Blues singer Robert Johnson 's most famous Songs The Lyrics plainly have the narrator attempting The 16-minute "Spoonful", from their March Winterland show, became their most epic song and a concert favourite. Ginger Baker's "Toad" is now widely-regarded as one of the greatest live drum solos in rock history.

After the completion of Wheels of Fire in mid-1968, the band members had had enough and wanted to go their separate ways. Wheels of Fire is the name of a double album recorded by Cream. As Baker would state in a 2006 interview with Music Mart magazine, "It just got to the point where Eric said to me: 'I've had enough of this,' and I said so have I. I couldn't stand it. The last year with Cream was just agony. It's damaged my hearing permanently, and today I've still got a hearing problem because of the sheer volume throughout the last year of Cream. But it didn't start off like that. In 1966, it was great. It was really a wonderful experience musically, and it just went into the realms of stupid. " Also, Bruce and Baker's combustible relationship proved even worse as a result of the strain put upon the band by non-stop touring, forcing Clapton to play the perpetual role of peacekeeper.

Clapton had also fallen under the spell of Bob Dylan's former backing group, now known as The Band, and their debut album, Music from Big Pink, which proved to be a welcome breath of fresh air in comparison to the incense and psychedelia that had informed Cream. Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, May 24 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter author poet and painter who has been a major The Band was a rock group active from 1967 to 1976 and again from 1983 to 1999 Music from Big Pink is the 1968 debut album by rock band The Band. Furthermore, he had read a scathing Cream review in Rolling Stone magazine, a publication he had much admired, where the reviewer, Jon Landau, called him a master of "the blues cliché. Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published Jon Landau (born 1947 is an American Music critic, Manager, and Record producer, most known for his association in all three capacities with " It was in the wake of that article that Clapton wanted to end Cream and pursue a different musical direction.

At the beginning of their farewell tour on October 4, 1968, in Oakland, nearly the entire set consisted of songs from Wheels of Fire: "White Room", "Politician", "Crossroads", "Spoonful", "Deserted Cities of the Heart", and "Passing the Time" taking place of "Toad" for a drum solo. Events 610 - Heraclius arrives by ship from Africa at Constantinople, overthrows Byzantine Emperor Phocas Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Oakland (ˈoʊklənd founded in 1852 is the eighth-largest city in the U "Passing the Time" and "Deserted Cities" were quickly removed from the setlist and replaced by "Sitting on Top of the World" and "Toad".

Goodbye

Cream was eventually persuaded to do one final album. That album, the appropriately titled Goodbye, was recorded in late 1968 and released in early 1969, after the band had broken up. Goodbye (also called Goodbye Cream) is the final original album of the rock Power trio Cream. It featured six songs: three live recordings dating from a concert at The Forum in Los Angeles, California, on 19 October, and three new studio recordings (the most notable, "Badge", was written by Clapton and George Harrison, who also played rhythm guitar). The Forum, known for a time as the Great Western Forum, is an indoor arena in Inglewood California, a suburb of Los Angeles. Events 202 BCE - The Battle of Zama results in the defeat of Carthage and Hannibal. " Badge " is a rock song by Cream, penned by Eric Clapton and George Harrison during a collaborative effort between Clapton Harrison and Ringo George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author "I'm So Glad", which first appeared as a studio recording on Fresh Cream, appeared as a live track on Goodbye. " I'm So Glad " is a song originally recorded by Skip James in the early 1930s It was the only song to appear on both Cream's first and last albums.

Cream's "farewell tour" consisted of 22 shows at 19 venues in the United States between October 4 and November 4, 1968, and two final farewell concerts at the Royal Albert Hall on November 26, 1968. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 610 - Heraclius arrives by ship from Africa at Constantinople, overthrows Byzantine Emperor Phocas Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Royal Albert Hall is an Arts venue situated in the Knightsbridge area of the City of Westminster, London, England, best known Events 43 BC - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian" later "Caesar Augustus" Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Initially another double album was planned, comprising live material from this tour plus new studio tracks, but a single album, Goodbye was released instead with three live tracks taken from their performance at The Forum in Los Angeles on October 19, 1968, and three studio tracks, one written by each of the band members. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Events 202 BCE - The Battle of Zama results in the defeat of Carthage and Hannibal. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The final United States gig was at the Rhode Island Auditorium, November 4, 1968. Rhode Island Auditorium was an indoor Arena in Providence Rhode Island, at 1111 North Main Street Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The two Royal Albert Hall concerts were filmed for a BBC documentary and released on video (and later DVD) as Farewell Concert. Farewell Concert is the live recording of the Cream 's final concert at the Royal Albert Hall on November 26th in 1968. Both shows were sold out and attracted more attention than any other Cream concert, but their performance was regarded by many as below standard. Baker himself said of the concerts: "It wasn’t a good gig . . . Cream was better than that . . . We knew it was all over. We knew we were just finishing it off, getting it over with. " Cream's live performances were already declining. In an interview from Cream: Classic Artists, Ginger Baker himself agreed that the band was getting worse by the minute. [6]

Cream's supporting acts were Taste (featuring a young Rory Gallagher) and the newly formed Yes, who received good reviews. Taste was an Irish rock band formed in the 1960s and is most noted for the fact that musician Rory Gallagher was an original member Rory Gallagher (2 March 1948&ndash14 June 1995 was an Irish Blues / rock Guitarist Born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal Yes are an English Progressive rock band that formed in London in 1968.

Reunions (1993, 2005)

In 1993, Cream was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and set aside their differences to perform at the induction ceremony. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is held annually in March and sponsored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Initially, the trio was wary about performing, until encouraging words from Robbie Robertson inspired them to try. Robbie Robertson (born Jaime Robert Klegerman, 5 July 1943 at Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a Songwriter, The end result was an incendiary set consisting of "Sunshine of Your Love", "Crossroads", and - interestingly, as the band had never played it live during their original tenure - "Born Under a Bad Sign". Clapton mentioned in his acceptance speech that their rehearsal the day before the ceremony had marked the first time they had played together in 25 years.

Cream backstage at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction
Cream backstage at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

The performance spurred rumours of a reunion tour. Bruce and Baker went so far as to say in later interviews that they were, indeed, interested in touring as Cream. A formal reunion did not take place immediately, however, and Clapton continued to pursue solo projects, as did Bruce and Baker, although the two did work together again in the mid-1990s as two-thirds of a power trio, BBM, with Gary Moore. Gary Moore (born Robert William Gary Moore, 4 April 1952, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a Northern Irish Guitarist.

In 2004, it was officially announced that Cream would finally reunite for a series of four shows, on May 2, 3, 5, and 6, 2005 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the venue of their final concerts in 1968. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Even more surprising was that the reunion came at Clapton's request: although the three musicians chose not to speak publicly about the shows, Clapton would later state that he had become more "generous" in regard to his past, and that the physical health of Bruce and Baker was a major factor: Bruce had recently undergone a liver transplant for liver cancer, and had almost lost his life, while Baker had severe arthritis. Liver transplantation or hepatic transplantation is the replacement of a diseased Liver with a healthy liver Allograft. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC also called hepatoma) is a primary malignancy (cancer of the Liver. Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation plural arthritides is a group of conditions involving damage to the Joints of the body

Tickets for all four shows sold out in under an hour. Touts were soon charging outrageous prices for what became one of the hardest-to-get tickets in rock and roll history. In British English, a tout is any person who solicits business or employment in an importune manner (generally equivalent to a solicitor in American The performances were recorded for a live CD and DVD. Among those in attendance were Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Steve Winwood, Roger Waters, Brian May of Queen, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and also Mick Taylor and Bill Wyman, formerly of the Rolling Stones. Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942 is an English rock Singer, Bass guitarist songwriter Composer, Ringo Starr, MBE (born Richard Starkey on 7 July 1940 is an English Musician, Singer, Songwriter and Actor Stephen Lawrence "Steve" or "Stevie" Winwood (born 12 May 1948 in Handsworth, Birmingham) is an English Singer-songwriter George Roger Waters (born 6 September 1943 in Great Bookham, Surrey) is an English rock musician Brian Harold May, CBE Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist James Patrick Page, OBE (born 9 January 1944 is an English Guitarist, Composer and record producer Led Zeppelin were Michael "Mick" Kevin Taylor (born 17 January 1949 in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire) is an English Musician best known as a Bill Wyman (born William George Perks on 24 October 1936 was the Bass guitarist for the English Rock and roll band The Rolling The reunion marked the first time the band had played "Badge" and "Pressed Rat and Warthog" live. " Badge " is a rock song by Cream, penned by Eric Clapton and George Harrison during a collaborative effort between Clapton Harrison and Ringo " Pressed Rat and Warthog " is a song performed by the band Cream on their Wheels of Fire (1968 album

The Royal Albert Hall reunion proved a success on both a personal and financial level, inspiring the reformed band to bring their reunion to the United States. For reasons unknown, Cream chose to play at only one venue, Madison Square Garden in New York City, from October 24-26, 2005. Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City. The City of New York The shows were marred by some controversy in regard to tickets: the show's promoters had made a deal with credit card company American Express to make tickets available to American Express customers only in an unprecedented week-long pre-sale. Again, touts charged high prices for tickets; nevertheless, the shows were a financial success and received critical praise.

Fans of Cream hoped for a full-scale tour, but a statement from Cream's publicist days after the last performance put the nail in that particular coffin, when it was announced that Cream would not tour the United States. In an interview with Jack Bruce in the December 2005 issue of Bass Player magazine, Bruce hinted that he would like to see Cream continue in one way or another, possibly in the form of a new album, but that a tour was out of the question: "It would be quite a challenge to try to create music that would stand up to the classic songs. I've got a few ideas already — in fact, I wrote a song yesterday that I think would work. I just don't know if it will happen, because we all feel the band is so special we don't want to do it that often, if we go on. We've had offers you wouldn't believe — I didn't believe — for long world tours, and it's tempting. But none of us wants to accept because it would take away from the rarity and special nature of getting together. I'd like to do it every now and again and just play somewhere, but we could do an album amidst that, and I'm going to suggest it. "

Post-Cream

Later years (1968-present)

Blind Faith came about immediately after the demise of Cream following an attempt by Clapton to recruit Steve Winwood into the band in the hope that he would help act as a buffer between Bruce and Baker. Blind Faith were an English blues-rock band that consisted of Eric Clapton Stephen Lawrence "Steve" or "Stevie" Winwood (born 12 May 1948 in Handsworth, Birmingham) is an English Singer-songwriter However, Cream broke up before Winwood had the chance to consider the offer.

Inspired by more song-based acts, particularly The Band, Clapton went on to perform much different, less improvisational material with Delaney & Bonnie, Derek and the Dominos and in his own long and varied solo career. Delaney & Bonnie and Friends was a rock / Soul revue fronted by husband-and-wife singer/songwriters Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. Derek and the Dominos were a Blues-rock supergroup formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton with keyboardist Bobby Whitlock

Jack Bruce began a varied and successful solo career with the 1969 release of Songs for a Tailor. John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce (born 14 May 1943 is a Scottish -born musician composer and Singer.

Ginger Baker formed a jazz-fusion ensemble out of the ashes of Blind Faith, Ginger Baker's Air Force, which featured Winwood, Blind Faith bassist Rick Grech, Graham Bond on sax, and Denny Laine of the Moody Blues, among others. Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (born 19 August 1939 Lewisham, South London) is an English Drummer. Ginger Baker's Air Force was a jazz-rock fusion band comprising Ginger Baker on drums Steve Winwood on organ and vocals Ric Grech on violin Richard Roman Grech ( 1 November 1946 – 17 March 1990) was an English musician Denny Laine (born Brian Frederick Arthur Hines, October 29, 1944, in Tyseley, Birmingham) is an English Songwriter The Moody Blues are an English psychedelic rock band originally from Erdington in the city of Birmingham.

The future (2006-present)

Cream's future is uncertain: in February 2006, Cream received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their contribution to, and influence upon, modern music. The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded by the Recording Academy to "performers who during their lifetimes have made creative contributions of outstanding That same month, a "Classic Albums" DVD was released detailing the story behind the creation and recording of Disraeli Gears. On the day prior to the Grammy ceremony, Bruce made a public statement that more one-off performances of Cream had been planned: multiple dates in a few cities, similar to the Royal Albert Hall and Madison Square Garden shows. He would not state when or where those shows would occur, claiming that he "would get chopped" if he said anything.

However, this story was rebutted by both Clapton and Baker, first by Clapton in a Times article from April 2006. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. The article stated that when asked about Cream, Clapton said: "'No. Not for me. We did it and it was fun. But life is too short I've got lots of other things I would rather do, including staying at home with my kids. ' The thing about that band, he says, was that it was all to do with its limits. 'Here were three people who were essentially in disagreement with each other. You latched on to those rare moments of cohesion and made the most of them. But they were rare. It was an experiment. '"

In an interview regarding the release of a DVD of Blind Faith's 1969 performance in Hyde Park, Baker commented to the United Kingdom-based magazine Music Mart about his unwillingness to continue the Cream reunion. Blind Faith were an English blues-rock band that consisted of Eric Clapton Hyde Park is one of the largest Parks in central London, England and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner These comments were far more specific and explosive than Clapton's; his reasons stemmed from Jack Bruce's behavior at the Madison Square Garden performances: "When he's Dr. Jekyll, he's fine. . . It's when he's Mr. Hyde that he's not. And I'm afraid he's still the same. I tell you this - there won't ever be any more Cream gigs, because he did Mr. Hyde in New York last year. "

When asked to elaborate, Baker replied: "Oh, he shouted at me on stage, he turned his bass up so loud that he deafened me on the first gig. What he does is that he apologises and apologises, but I'm afraid, to do it on a Cream reunion gig, that was the end. He killed the magic, and New York was like 1968. . . It was just a get through the gig, get the money sort of deal. I was absolutely amazed. I mean, he demonstrated why he got the sack from Graham Bond and why Cream didn't last very long on stage in New York. I didn't want to do it in the first place simply because of how Jack was. I have worked with him several times since Cream, and I promised myself that I would never work with him again. When Eric first came up with the idea, I said no, and then he phoned me up and eventually convinced me to do it. I was on my best behaviour and I did everything I could to make things go as smooth as possible, and I was really pleasant to Jack. "

Clapton would later expand on his reasons for ending the reunion: Baker's response to Bruce's attitude on the first night of the New York shows. Believing that the two would never see eye-to-eye almost forty years after the break-up of Cream, he chose to return to the path of solo artist. Surprisingly, despite the negative comments from Baker regarding Madison Square Garden, Jack Bruce told Detroit's WCSX radio station in May 2007 that there are plans for a Cream reunion later in the year: "There is some talk about us getting together later this year, which I can't really say too much about. WCSX is a Detroit -based FM Radio station broadcasting a Classic rock format But it's not a commercial thing . . . but we may get together for something. " [7]

It was later revealed that the potential performance was to be a set at the November, 2007 London tribute to Ahmet Ertegün. Ahmet Ertegün ( July 31, 1923 &ndash December 14, 2006) was the Turkish American co-founder and executive of Atlantic The band decided against it, as was confirmed by Bruce in a letter to the editor of the Jack Bruce fanzine, The Cuicoland Express dated September 26, 2007:

"Dear Marc,
We were going to do this tribute concert for Ahmet when it was to be at the Royal Albert Hall but decided to pass when it was moved to the O2 Arena and seemed to be becoming overly commercial. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Royal Albert Hall is an Arts venue situated in the Knightsbridge area of the City of Westminster, London, England, best known The O2 is a large entertainment district including an indoor arena a music club a cinema an exhibition space piazzas and bars and restaurants built within a large dome-shaped "

The headlining act for the O2 Arena Ertegun tribute show (postponed to December 2007) turned out to be another reunited English hard-rock act, Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin were So while the band members are talking again, no Cream reunions are planned for the near future.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Singles

Compilations

Videos / DVDs

Cream tribute songs

Notes

  1. ^ Christe, Ian. Eric Johnson (born August 17, 1954) is a Guitarist and recording artist from Austin Texas. Andy Summers (born Andrew James Somers 31 December 1942) is an English guitarist and composer best known for his work in The Police Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (born 19 August 1939 Lewisham, South London) is an English Drummer. Sound of the Beast. Allison & Busby, pg. 10-12. ISBN 0749083514.  
  2. ^ BBC - h2g2 - Cream - the Band
  3. ^ "Where's Eric Website: Nickname". Retrieved on 2007-02-17. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori
  4. ^ Classics Du Jour
  5. ^ Cream at AllMusic
  6. ^ A Guide to the Bootlegs
  7. ^ http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070515/ENT07/705150375/1035/ENT

External links

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