Cream (band)

For other uses, see Cream (disambiguation).

Cream
Cream in 1967. L–R: Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton.
Cream in 1967. L–R: Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton.
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Discography
Years active
  • 1966 (1966)–1968
  • 1993
  • 2005
Labels
SpinoffsBlind Faith
Spinoff of
Past members

Cream were a British rock supergroup formed in London in 1966. The group consisted of bassist Jack Bruce, guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker. Bruce was the primary songwriter and vocalist, although Clapton and Baker contributed to songs. Formed by members of previously successful bands, they are widely considered the first supergroup.[6] Cream were highly regarded for the instrumental proficiency of each of their members.

During their brief three-year career, the band released four albums: Fresh Cream (1966), Disraeli Gears (1967), Wheels of Fire (1968), and Goodbye (1969). Beginning with Disraeli Gears, the band was joined in the studio by producer and multi-instrumentalist Felix Pappalardi. Their music spanned rock styles such as blues rock, psychedelia, and hard rock. Throughout their career, they sold more than 15 million records worldwide.[7] The group's third album, Wheels of Fire (1968), is the first platinum-selling double album.[8][9] They scored international hits with singles such as "Sunshine of Your Love" (1967) and "White Room" (1968).

Tensions between Bruce and Baker led to their decision in May 1968 to break up, although the band were persuaded to make a final album, Goodbye, and to tour, culminating in two final farewell concerts at the Royal Albert Hall on 25 and 26 November 1968 which were filmed and shown in theatres, then in 1977 released as a home video, Farewell Concert. Bruce died in 2014 followed by Baker in 2019, leaving Clapton as the only surviving member of the group.

In 1993, Cream were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[10] They were included in both Rolling Stone and VH1's lists of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", at number 67 and 61 respectively.[11][12] They were also ranked number 16 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock".[4]

  1. ^ Budofsky, Adam, ed. (2006). The Drummer: 100 Years of Rhythmic Power and Invention. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-4234-0567-2.
  2. ^ Staff (10 April 2023). ""We Were One of the Early Heavy Metal Bands Without Knowing It": How Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker Turbo-Charged the Blues With Cream". Guitar Player. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. ^ Knowles, Christopher (2010). The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll. Cleis Press. p. 199. ISBN 9781573444057.
  4. ^ a b "VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock (20–1)". VH1. 2000. Archived from the original on 10 February 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2008.
  5. ^ ""Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Jam Bands"". rollingstone. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Supergroup Cream rises again". CNN.com. 20 December 1999. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Cream: Still Rising to the Top". Time.com. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Cream – the Band". BBC. 20 September 2000. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference classic was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Cream: inducted in 1993". The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 25 April 2012
  11. ^ "The Greatest Artists of All Time". VH1/Stereogum. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  12. ^ Waters, Roger. "Cream: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 April 2012