In 1966 Eric Clapton was already a very popular blues guitarist for the Yardbirds and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. But his role was always limited in those bands. Then he met Ginger Baker (drummer of the Graham Bond Organisation). Ginger left the Graham Bond Organisation because he was tired of Graham's drug addiction and mental instability. They decided to start a new band on the condition that also Jack Bruce formely also a member of the Graham Bond Organisation and later Manfred Mann joined their new band as well. Jack and Eric already worked together in the very short-lived band Powerhouse also including Steve Winwood and Paul Jones. Jack still played in the Graham Bond Organisation but when Graham threatened Jack at knifepoint it was time for him to leave Graham as well.
 |
| Graham Bond Organisation |
Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker were the cream of the crop and that created the idea of the name for their new band Cream. Although they first used the name "Sweet 'n' Sour Rock 'n' Roll". Jack would become their lead vocalist since Eric was very shy about singing. They released their debut single "Wrapping Paper" in October 1966.
 |
| Cream from left to right: Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce |
Their debut album was titled "Fresh Cream" reaching #6 in the UK and #39 in the US existing of self penned songs and covers. It included their first hit single "I Feel Free" (#18 Netherlands, #11 UK). Then they moved to the US first to do some performances which didn't impress and then to record their second album "Disraeli Gears" for 1968 in New York. That album reached #5 in the UK and #4 in the US. The album was blending psychedelic British rock with American blues. It awarded them with their first US hit single "Sunshine of Your Love" reaching #5 (#25 UK, #27 NL). "Strange Brew" charted already in the UK (#17) and the Netherlands (#30). But now they were headlining on performances throughout the USA and reached success over there as well.
 |
| Anyone for Tennis - single cover |
A non-album single "Anyone for Tennis" (#32 NL) was released before their next album titled "Wheels Of Fire" (#1 US, #3 UK) from 1968. It included the hit single "White Room" (#2 NL, #6 US, #28 UK). The album was moving away from the blues and more towards a semi-progressive rock style. Their last half studio half live album "Goodbye" from 1969 managed to reach #2 in the US and #1 in the UK. Although it is their worst album.
ARTWORK
The debut album "Fresh Cream" included a picture of the band as aviators with worldwide different artwork for the album title. Australian artist Martin Sharp desinged the album covers for "Disreali Gears" and "Wheels Of Fire". He lived in the same building as Eric Clapton at The Pheasantry in Chelsea those days. He co-wrote the songs "Tales of Brave Ulysses" and The Savage Seven movie theme "Anyone for Tennis". The last album "Goodbye" was split into the outer sleeve featured photography by Roger Phillips with a cover design by Alan Aldridge Ink Studios featuring the group doing a showbiz act. The inner sleeve was a cemetory by Roger Hane that had the song titles on tombstones.
AFTER CREAM
Jack started a solo career while Ginger and Eric would join Steve Winwood and Ric Grech to form the super group Blind Faith. After one album with Blind Faith Eric Clapton left that band to do an album with Derek and the Dominos and finally went solo.
Ginger started a jazz-fusion ensemble called Ginger Baker's Air Force from the remnants of Blind Faith, with Winwood, Blind Faith bassist Rick Grech, Graham Bond on saxophone, and guitarist Denny Laine of the Moody Blues and (later) Wings.`
ALBUMS
 |
| Original album cover |
I Feel Free / N.S.U. / Sleepy Time Time / Dreaming / Sweet Wine / Spoonful / Cat's Squirrel / Four Until Late / Rollin' and Tumblin' / I'm So Glad / Toad
 |
| Original album cover |
 |
| Original album cover |
 |
| Original album cover |
Goodbye (1969)
I'm So Glad / Politician / Sitting on Top of the World / Badge / Doing That Scrapyard Thing / What a Bringdown
Sunshine Of Your Love
White Room
Anyone For Tennis