Cream Albums (CD-Now) completed 7/5/98

In just three years Cream defined the 'power trio' and increased the octane for blues-based rock 'n' roll. The first supergroup consisted of guitarist Eric Clapton, formerly of the Yardbirds and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers; singer and bassist Jack Bruce, formerly of Manfred Mann, the Bluesbreakers and the Graham Bond Organisation; and drummer Ginger Baker, also from the Bond group. In the studio, Cream's work centered around sophisticated rock songs written by Bruce and poet Peter Brown. In 1968, "Sunshine of Your Love" reached No. 5 and "White Room" hit No. 6. The group released only two full studio albums, "Fresh Cream" (1966) and "Disraeli Gears" in 1967. Two other albums featuring studio tracks, "Wheels of Fire" (1968) and "Goodbye" (1969), were mixtures of studio and live material. "Wheels of Fire" was the first album to be certified platinum. In concert, Cream was known for its high-energy blues jams, including versions of Willie Dixon's "Spoonful" and Muddy Waters' "Rollin' and Tumblin'." The group's third U.S. hit, a live version of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" sung by Clapton, hit No. 28 in 1968. Clashing personalities and constant touring led to Cream's demise in 1969. Clapton and Baker went on to form Blind Faith.