Super Creamy
Last updated: 04/10/2006 - 11:42
Cream: The World's First Supergroup by Dave Thompson.
As late '60s supergroup (the first ever?) Cream get set to reform for a series of dates at London's Royal Albert Hall in May, it's time for a little recap...
Virgin Books are set to release Cream: The World's First Supergroup, a 282-page hardback book featuring rare photographs of one of the greatest rock'n'roll supergroups of the psychedelic sixties.
The book was published to coincide with the much speculated and eagerly anticipated Cream reunion of the original three members thirty-six years after the legendary blues-rock group disbanded. This saw the original line-up of Cream: guitarist Eric Clapton, bass player Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker have confirmed they will reunite for a series of historic concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall on May 2, 3, 5 and 6, 2005. Presumably they got a night off on the 4th...
I Feel Free
Cream formed in 1966 and disbanded in 1968. In just under three years the band produced three seminal studio albums: Fresh Cream (1966), Disraeli Gears (1967) and Wheels of Fire (1968) and secured worldwide acclaim and commercial success with their unique take on electrified blues.
The trio comprised: guitarist Eric Clapton (The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers), drummer Ginger Baker (Alexis Korner's Blues Incoporated), and bass guitarist Jack Bruce (Manfred Mann).
Cream started off as a prolific and thrilling live act that introduced the world to an extraordinary and explosive fusion of musical talents, egos, and styles. During their short but remarkable two years together, they produced some of the most enduring rock anthems including Sunshine of Your Love, I Feel Free, Strange Brew and Crossroads, songs that, to this day, continue to be used in TV adverts and soundtracks, and played on stereos worldwide. Cream sold 35 million records, and last played together in 1993 when they were inaugurated into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in Los Angeles.
Cream: The World's First Supergroup delves into a time in the mid to late 60s when the music scene was as volatile as the personalities who inhabited it, when competition was fierce, rivalry rife and when a rock sensation could appear and disappear in just two short, revolutionary, years. Cream's sound has been described as psychedelic blues, pioneering a cutting-edge combination of blues, jazz and electric guitars. Their wildly entertaining and often improvised live shows enabled them to crack the U.S. market before most of their contemporaries, cementing their place in the global hall of fame.
Detailed Biography
Dave Thompson's fascinating and extensively detailed biography reveals everything behind the band's background and creation, charting their ground-breaking career of over 300 live gigs and four LPs. Thompson laces the biography with a mesmerising and vivid portrait of the hedonistic, decadent and drug-fuelled lifestyles enjoyed by the band making the book as alluring as it is informative.
Featuring insightful interviews with a glittering cast of friends, family, rivals and fans, Cream: The World's First Supergroup makes highly entertaining, informative and compelling reading. The book is essential for all Cream devotees and any self-respecting fan of true rock'n'roll.
Dave Thompson is the author of many well reviewed rock biographies, including the recent Virgin Books Red Hot Chili Peppers biography, works on The Cure and Kurt Cobain, and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone, Mojo and Q magazines.
Cream: The World's First Supergroup is out now - as a hardback only – priced: £18.99, from Virgin Books.