Posted on 11/14/2004 1:12:28 AM PST by beyond the sea
Eric Clapton has astounded the music world by finally agreeing to reform Cream, rock's first supergroup, 36 years after they split up at the height of their worldwide fame.
Back then Clapton was declared a "guitar God", Ginger Baker was the epitome of the wild-eyed rock drummer and Jack Bruce was the pioneer of a raw, biting tone for the electric bass.
Over two years they sold more than 35 million records, producing a new form of "heavy" music that fused hard rock, blues and jazz. But they were unable to survive their ego-powered celebrity.
There was such venom at the end that, years later, Clapton said the thought of a reunion "scares the living daylights out of me".
John Mayall, the veteran leader of the Bluesbreakers, the British band from which Clapton defected to create Cream in 1966, said yesterday: "I'm amazed. But Eric is always doing something unexpected. He moves in so many directions, always out front with his music."
Sources close to the musicians said that reunion plans were under way, with Clapton, 59, Bruce, 61, and Baker, 65, talking of "probably two gigs, or maybe more" at the Royal Albert Hall in May, although that venue, where Clapton staged his traditional blues stint this spring, has yet to be booked.
The hall was where Cream last performed in Britain in November 1968 after shows in America that were earning the trio $60,000 a night.
Cream have played together only once since, with searing versions of White Room, Crossroads and Sunshine of Your Love, at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in Los Angeles in 1993.
Rehearsals for the reunion, with new material, are expected to begin early in the new year.
Mayall, visiting London from his home in Los Angeles, said: "I can't imagine Cream's reappearance will be a marathon again, as Eric is now very much a family man.
"It's probably Eric on one of his nostalgia trips, as Jack and Ginger are not exactly headline names of this generation. It's likely to be for a charity, or the music, not the money."
How about Jerold Nadler trying to get into a speedo?
Man am I bummed out...Ginger is 65? Argh....
He released a blues album with B.B. King a few months ago which is very good.
Live show, huh?
The aroma of marijuana will be replaced with that of BenGay.
Jack Bruce was always my favorite member of Cream. He's a much better singer than Clapton, IMHO.
Nah, this will be short and sweet. I'd sure like to go over 'beyond the sea' to see them.
Royal Albert Hall --- remember John -- "The people in the cheaper seats, clap your hands... and the rest of you, if you'd just rattle your jewelry."
LOL
Michigan needs those penguins back there.
Yeh, he looks real good. I guess there is a proper way to take heroin and the rest.
;-)
Speaking of Clapton looking good, I can't believe B.B. King keeps on keepin' on being so fat. He's awfully good too.
Jack Bruce had rotted teeth 30 years ago.....maybe he has been blessed with new dentures....regardless....he can burn up a bass..............
I gave you a brand new ford
But you said: I want a cadillac
I bought you a ten dollar dinner
And you said: thanks for the snack
I let you live in my pent house
You said it just a shack
I gave seven children
And now you wanna give them back
LOL. He's one of a kind! Clapton and B.B. connect!
Tiger Balm.....much stronger...will help those "jams":0)
???????
See him soon, if you can. I don't think he'll be around much longer. I've seen him once every year or two, for the last several, and he doesn't look good at all.
bunch of idiots. I'm in - will be the tour of the year.
Who -- B.B.?
.....One of my top 5 bass players of all time.
He's still making music although he just had a liver transplant.
http://www.jackbruce.com/revamp/html/menurevamp.html
Clapton wants One More Chance to have a Wonderful Night.
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