Clapton puts sourness aside to reform Cream

[sphill]

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, right, 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 on Friday: "I'm amazed. But Eric is always doing something unexpected."

Sources close to the musicians said 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.

The hall was where Cream last performed in Britain in November 1968 after shows in America that were earning the trio $US60,000 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.

[TopJimmy78]

Wow!!!! [img]images/smilies/icon_eek.gif[/img] That is fckin awesome, can't wait to hear something from them, wow just killa!! [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

[sphill]

My old man will be over the moon about this. He used to play the old albums when I was a little lad and he got me into rock music. He never, ever told me to turn the stereo down and he was the dude who gave me that first $4.99 for that 1st Van Halen album I ever bought. Even this day he still plays some of his old Cream records.

[stingx]

That is amazing news!

Now if only Gilmour, Mason, and Wright can smoove things over with Waters (actually it's Water's who needs to bend) then maybe one more REAL Floyd tour could come to fruitation. I would love to see the original band one more time before they all end up in their rockers. I was so young when I saw them do The Wall together. Here's to hoping...

[Dr. Jimmy]

[ QUOTE ]
sphill said:
Baker, 65,

[/ QUOTE ]

!!!!!! I thought he was younger than that! I hope I'm still rockin' at that age.

[SteveS235]

All I can say is, if they film a DVD of one of the shows (and I hope they do), I'll pay whatever it costs to get my hands on one.

It's still mind boggling to think that they moved 35 million albums in just 2 years. [img]images/smilies/icon_eek.gif[/img]

[Hand of Cobain]

The Old shall overcome the new and then smother it with the pillow of Music Justice [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

[mickey_g107]

heel yeah! can't wait, hope they can still play!

[CanyonCarver]

OK. Is Jimmy Page listening to this?
How about giving Jason Bonham a call and getting John Paul Jones and Robert Plant to come out to play?

[Goport]

On the surface - Clapton has nothing to lose, Baker and Bruce has everything to gain. I really hope it works out for them. What cream managed to achieve in a few years is quite astounding.

The funny thing is, In terms of musical ability Clapton is possibly the most orthodox. Bruce and Baker actually introduced so much into rock music they redefined the term "rhythm section."

In term of sourness I doubt Clapton has ever had an axe to grind against B&B - He is a pretty onside chap and does what he needs to, to realise his ambitions. He is still one of, if not, my favourite guitar players to listen to. There is a dignity to his playing that I haven't recognised in many others and I respect him greatly.

I actually believe this is a big concession on Claptons part to formally recognise and celebrate his former bandmates. Clapton has proven his credentials beyond any shadow of a doubt and has continued to push himself and his audience. Jack and Ginger have not had it so good as Eric but I believe Clapton made his own luck. Clapton doesn't need to reform Cream. After all he has been, and still is, a very successful solo artist. He is the one building bridges and should be commended for it.

I said dignity, I believe that is the overriding emotion from Clapton here. He was never the frontman in Cream. This is not someone getting his old backing band to support him again. this is someone accepting his role as a component in a 3 piece band and celebrating his colleagues mucisianship.

It is gonna rock!

[Bishop Rob]

This is awesome. I've listened to all my Cream albums so many times... God this is just awesome!

[Lydian]

My dad told me about this. In my eyes, Cream was claptons best work. Id like to see this live.

[paco1]

To me EC had lost his drive a litte after he left
Cream until "24 nights" where he came down with
great stuff and and rocked the world in "from the craddle" coming up up with great riffs, feeling and
even a little speed (something pretty unusual for
good old slowhand). I think he is playing his best
since Crossroads which is (by my definition) one
of the top reference in improvised, live solo. Even
considering that the three musicians lost track of each other in the middle of the song and it still
came out exceptionnal. This prooves only one thing,
they were born to play with each other and it is
going to be a great show.

[Bishop Rob]

So in your opinion, the albums: Layla, Eric Clapton and Slowhand are no good? Man... those are three of my alltime faves...

[bluesplayer]

To be honest i think Clapton has eased of the gas too much , he rarely uses his bridge pick up , or neck for that matter , just that Knopfler position , i would love him to sack the Strats for this reunion , nothing against Strats , i have one right here , its just he cannot overdrive them like the Gibsons . maybe im asking too much but i hope this dont end up sounding like some kind of Yuppie event !