The Dream Team of ‘Cream’
Rock’s legendary British supergroup lasted less than three years
Three of the most accomplished rock musicians ever — Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton — teamed up in 1966 to form Cream, often regarded as the first “supergroup.” But Cream curdled pretty quickly — they were a band for a little less than three years. While the group officially disbanded in May 1968, the musicians agreed to make a final album and tour through the end of that year. They subsequently came together years later, but only temporarily.
A “supergroup” is typically made up of musical artists who have achieved success previously and then decide to collaborate or form a new group. Baker, Bruce and Clapton were all in bands prior to Cream. Drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce had played together in the groups Blues Incorporated and the Graham Bond Organisation, while guitarist Eric Clapton was in the Yardbirds and then John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.
Each of the three artists was incredibly talented:
- Ginger Baker employed two bass drums and incorporated rock, blues, jazz and African styles into his drumming. He was admired for extended drum solos in such pieces as his composition, “Toad.”
- Jack Bruce, who was Scottish, played bass as if it were a lead guitar. His musical…