Cream were a groundbreaking rock supergroup formed in 1966, consisting of guitarist Eric Clapton, bassist/singer Jack Bruce, and drummer Ginger Baker. Despite only being together for a short period, Cream’s impact was massive, influencing blues-rock and hard rock of the late ’60s and beyond. They were pioneers in the power trio format, with Clapton rising to international stardom during their tenure. While criticized for flashiness, their studio recordings showcased a blend of blues, pop, and psychedelia with original, concise material.
Cream’s evolution from electrified blues to hard-driving psychedelic pop culminated in their breakthrough album, ‘Disraeli Gears,’ which featured hits like ‘Strange Brew’ and ‘Sunshine of Your Love.’ Their double album ‘Wheels of Fire’ topped the US charts in 1968, solidifying their status as rock giants alongside The Beatles and Hendrix. Despite disbanding at the peak of their success in 1968, Cream’s legacy endured with posthumous releases like ‘Goodbye.’ Clapton and Baker went on to other projects, while Bruce passed away in 2014 and Baker in 2019, marking the end of an era in rock history.