Cream, the iconic musical power trio, was a musical tour de force in the mid-to-late 1960s. Formed by drummer Ginger Baker, bassist Jack Bruce, and guitarist Eric Clapton, their music remains popular to this day. from today. Find out how Cream continues to influence musical artists today …
Cream: your style
When most music fans think of Cream, the phrase “classic rock” comes to mind. And while it’s true that most of the band’s music is heard on classic rock radio stations these days, it requires a deeper insight.
The idea for Cream was born in early 1966 by drummer Ginger Baker, who trained in the jazz styles of the early 1960s in London. He played in a British band called The Graham Bond Organization with bassist Jack Bruce, an exceptionally talented musician also blessed with a strong voice.
The two soon crossed paths with a young virtuoso guitarist named Eric Clapton, who was practicing blues standards in the style of Chicago and the Mississippi Delta. Each of the three, disenchanted with their current situation, decided to join forces as Cream in June 1966.
At the time and in subsequent interviews, Clapton thought Cream would be a blues band. Unfortunately, I had no idea of the musical direction and influences of Baker and Bruce.
As Cream developed from the beginning, it became clear that this was something very unique. When the band disbanded in late 1968, Cream was noted for various musical styles, including blues, hard rock, pop, all backed by jazz styles and lengthy improvisations.
The continuous influence of the cream
Despite being together for less than three years, Cream remains one of the best known bands of all time. They originally spawned supergroups and power trios, such as Blind Faith, Mountain, and several others in the early 1970s.
Later, Cream has been credited as an inspiration for popular rock acts in the 1980s and beyond. ZZ Top, a hugely popular rock and blues trio, were directly influenced by Cream, to the point of introducing them for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
The Police and Van Halen are two of many notable successful groups that have praised the influences of Baker, Bruce and Clapton. Today John Mayer occasionally plays with Clapton and has even recorded a cover of “Crossroads”, a blues standard that Cream made famous over forty years ago.
The legacy is still unfolding
All three members of Cream continue to play, with Bruce and Clapton more active than Baker. Cream reunited in 2005 for a hugely successful live CD and DVD, and their concerts at the Royal Albert Hall were attended by rock royalty.
His legacy continues to evolve and his music has stood the test of time.