CREAM: The Rise & Fall Of The World's First Supergroup

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Hello all - just to respond to the millions of comments saying 'The Beatles were the first supergroup!' - The Beatles weren't technically a supergroup. "A supergroup is a musical group formed with members who are already successful as solo artists or as members of other successful groups." - Wikipedia So Cream, Crosby Stills & Nash, or the Traveling Wilburys would all be considered supergroups, despite not being as big as the Beatles. Cheers, JH

[@johnhead6116]

Cream wasn't even a SuperGroup, much less the world's first. They had 2 hits and they weren't even that great of songs. People who call this a jazz band are also quite crazy (including Baker). Listen to the WHite Room and Crossroads and tell me what parts of those songs resemble anything remotely close to Jazz. I'm sorry, Cream and Baker were both way overrated imo. That said, Clapton is great. (And I'm a drummer)

[@donaldwilson7999]

In,

[@donaldwilson7999]

​@jo u❤ih inhhnhead6116

[@donaldwilson7999]

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[@donaldwilson7999]

😮😢😢😢​@@johnhead6116

[@TheConstrictorfreak]

Loved the video James, i'm a huge Cream fan and the video was smashing. Now all i want is a WHO video. Can anyone give me a thumbs up on that?

[@matthewmoran4158]

I love your statement " Ginger Baker joined him to continue the feud in the afterlife ". Brilliant.

[@joeblow2069]

How did Ginger Baker live to 80 years old? Amazing he made it past 30.

[@shawnbruce6934]

Toughness. He Was a Dick But The Thunder God.

[@gaoxiaen1]

Few dopers think that they'll live past 30. I didn't think so and now I'm 66, but there were a few close calls in my youth. Alcohol, the legal drug that is also a food, is the worst of all, except maybe tobacco.

[@vladtheimpala5532]

He was too ornery to let the angel of death win. Unfortunately, he always does eventually.

[@alanwannemaker2518]

Amazing any of US followers are still alive to Note your Comment ? Rock and roll is here to stay !

[@cowdaddy4595]

Opiate addicts live a long tine.

[@Simon.the.Likeable]

"I'd been drinking a mixture of rum and Guinness in order to help with my withdrawal." That's the ticket, Ginger!! Mixing pirate juice with the fighting Irish should solve any problem.

[@chuckselvage3157]

Ginger on the rum oh no lol

[@mattsweeny3957]

I call it Go Go juice Matt NYC 😂😂

[@BluesBoy-ij2rb]

You can do it !!!......I have faith in you !!!....... don't give up !!!.............. Erik

[@NikkieRoxxx]

​@@mattsweeny3957*the Matt Sweeney*, that played in interviews with Lord Ace Frehley and Lord Keith Richards??

[@williammoody6600]

VERY CUTE

[@rhondawhite5202]

I got a Cream cassette tape for Christmas, at like twelve in the mid-70's. Didn't know who they were, but just now realize their influence on my parents at the time (and me). We had lived in England mid-60's, right outside of London and my dad was always playing great music. Thanks dad!

[@briantronsgaard1423]

This is by far the best Cream documentary ever made. Thank you, James.

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Thanks so much! And you're welcome 🍻🍻

[@bunnybgood411]

A little unfair to Jack. The part blaming Jack the most for the breakup. The breakup was due to a number of factors, as the narrator nevertheless outlines.

[@thomaspangburn6000]

This filled in a lot of details of what I knew about Cream. White Room is still one of the best songs ever written in my thinking. Excellent!

[@ConservativeAnthem]

Creme de la Creme, so to speak...

[@newforestpixie5297]

this channel deserves at least twice the subscribers because James appears to do the research for fact & detail 👍

[@Gammaknife97]

I have the honour of getting a serious response from Ginger when he played in Glasgow back in 2017. People were asking him questions which had nothing to do with him and he shot them all down, I asked him about drumming with Art Blakey and he gave a heartfelt response about how much it meant to him and how Art brought out the best in him. He also played like a master even in his late 70s, even though he only played a small set due to his health. Will never forget it. (Had to edit as made an error with his age)

[@sexybeast4320]

White room is my fav Cream song atm

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Nice! He was one of the first true punks in my opinion. Zero time for anything he didn't like, but a heart of gold underneath - and a truckload of talent

[@johnvirgilio5323]

Oh man, I saw At Blakey at the Lighthouse in Hermosa, California in the seventies. He was amazing! Not as great as Buddy Rich back then but still, beautiful. I was front and center and got two Incredible pics.

[@NeilCrouse99]

I'm just curious, ... Why would you worry about the "edit" tag?

[@Gammaknife97]

@@NeilCrouse99 because I said he was in his 80s when he was in his 70s, corrected myself so it was accurate

[@philodonoghue3062]

Best ever, most comprehensive, most acute, review, survey, and history of Cream, collectively (off and on, more off). So many of the greatest rock oeuvres of all time. Having the autobiography by each such a rich resource. This doco is an absolute gift to posterity. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 From the bottom of my heart ❤ one of the millions of Boomers fortunate enough to have been alive during the peak of popular and blues rock , indeed greatest of musical epochs. - POD, NZ

[@aqua5680]

I was at the London gig where Jimi Hendrix sat in with Cream. He actually did two numbers- Killing Floor , as everybody knows, and they then did I’m a Man , the Bo Diddley one chord song. The latter went on a bit. Eric played throughout and didn’t appear to be the slightest bit fazed. The story that Eric exited the stage was made up by Chas Chandler who was Jimi’s manager who was also there. Jimi was very confident and took cente stage. He went down well. Shortly after he was on TV doing Hey Joe and I thought that’s the bloke from the college gig.

[@laurentdubois2268]

Lucky man ! Thank you for telling the truth about that story about Chas

[@brahmburgers]

When Jimi (first?) came to London, he wanted to jam with Eric, ....and was obsessed with 'Sunshine of Your Love' song.

[@granthurlburt4062]

I've watched a video in which he played Sunshine in place of the Hendrix song he was scheduled to play. @@brahmburgers

[@alanosterman7130]

@@brahmburgers I heard that Jack came up with that unforgettable main riff of Sunshine, after he became inspired by attending an early 67 show of The Experience. Jimi inspired Jack, not the other way around. PS. I went back into my old notes about the Jimi and Eric chain of events. On Sunday, January 29, 1967. Jimi opened for the Who at the Saville Theatre in London. Eric (who already had his hair "permed" so it looked like Jimi's) and Jack Bruce were in the audience. In fact there are photos of Jimi and Eric standing next to each other from there, this night. Jack has mentioned that after he left the gig, this is when he came up with that monumental riff for "Sunshine of your Love". Then one week later on Sunday, February 5, 1967, also at the Saville Theatre. Jimi attends a Cream show. And music was never the same.

[@gregparrott]

Interesting to hear your perspective, based on first-hand experience. Another perspective was that Clapton declined to play 'Killing Floor' because the pace was too frenetic. But then Hendrix ripped through it - free form. Allegedly, Clapton was stunned.

[@MrDino1953]

Most comprehensive account of Cream I’ve seen in all my years of watching anything related to Cream. Well done.

[@williammorgan5320]

Thanks, James. Cream is my favorite band. Growing up as a lad in the 60's, I found them to be a haunting, compelling, driving force. I constantly compared other bands to them and none could stand the competition. Right through to the final Royal Albert concert, I'm a die-hard fan. Perhaps, their egos and personality flare-ups were part of their genius? Who knows, but their music will be with me as long as I live. Cheers.

[@brahmburgers]

I was in my mid-teens when Cream formed. I was at a boarding school in Madrid Spain, already playing guitar in R&B bands. I ordered their 1st album by mail, and would sit on the floor with hi-fi speakers on each side, and listen to it over and over, volume high. It was in the ''common room' so the other boys in the room would have to hear it.

[@briankorbelik2873]

Yes, when I was a kid in those days, if you didn't love Cream it was like, "What in the hell is wrong with you?!" 8-)

[@goblse1]

Thanks for a great video. I went to see them in Gothenburg 1967. I was 13 years old and could not hear anything for two weeks. It was fantastic.

[@johnallen6945]

I was 16 in 1966 and Cream knocked my socks off. I'm still a fan now at 72. They were so musically tight that you marvel that it was just 3 guys making all that wonderful noise! Definitely the greatest power trio ever in rock imo. I only have two live concerts on my 5000 song 60s/70s YTM playlist and one is the Cream 40th Anniversary concert over 4 nights at Prince Albert Hall in London in 2005. The entire concert is on YTM. Ginger said in, "Beware Mr. Baker," that he was a junkie for 20 years. Eric was doing massive amounts of coke so I'm told and Jack also dabbled in heroin before giving it up. But Jack was the best bass player in the 60s next to Paul McCartney only because Paul played bass on such a wide variety of songs. All 3 of them were the greatest musicians of their kind at the time and everybody admitted that. Their rendition of, "On the Road to Dreams," in 2005 got a long standing ovation. I know they were together in 66 and 67 but I don't think they were even together a full two years before they broke up.

[@lonnietoth5765]

They were the greatest , musician for musician ! I love the Beatles and Paul , and I play bass . Jack Bruce and John Entwistle were , I think , better . How you can play bass on " Born under a Bad Sign " and sing , is amazing . The vocals are off beat of the song ! Amazing !

[@NoKingFreeRadical]

As was I. What a time to be alive!

[@johnallen6945]

@@lonnietoth5765 Some people think it's easy to play and sing at the same time but it takes years of practice. Johnny Winter played rhythm, lead AND slide guitar while singing which is extremely hard. Jack Bruce's rhythm was totally in his head at all times even when his syncopation didn't match what Ginger was laying down. He would take a 5/4 song and seamlessly blend it into normal 4/4.

[@johnallen6945]

@@lonnietoth5765 IKR! I've been playing for 60 years. Guys like Paul and Johnny Winters and Jack Bruce made it look easy but it takes a few years of practice to be able to do rhythm and lead parts while you're singing. It comes natural to some but us peons have to learn the hard way.

[@johnallen6945]

@@lonnietoth5765 Yes, I sing and play routinely now but it took me at least 6 months to a year to feel comfortable. And I've been playing for 50+ years starting at age 7 so I'm very used to different rhythms but singing off the notes you're playing is fairly difficult.

[@MaxVonStark]

Enjoyed this very much......now it all makes sense....I must say I have experience with working with others riding high and then fighting to the point of not talking. It has helped me to understand how a band like cream can go through the ups and downs. I will say that in my case my partner and I rode high for a couple of years and then came crashing down...not even speaking any more....but I started a new business and sent an invite to him. He accepted it....we met and had lunch and then buried the past. Since then and even now we are best friends and cherish our glory days and are in constant contact....till the end we remain friends and that makes life worth living!

[@jonvia]

Gotta love bands that cant stand each other personally, yet write, record, and perform amazing music together. Makes you really think how out of this world music really is.

[@weeooh1]

My first ever album was Disraeli Gears bought in 1969 at the age of 13. Been a huge Cream and Clapton fan ever since and thought I knew everything about them. Of course most of us knew about the Baker-Bruce animosity, but wasnt aware of the finer details as revealed here. Brilliant documentary, well done!

[@GaZonk100]

actually even though I am basically your vintage I knew nothing about that lol

[@BluesBoy-ij2rb]

I got that album much later when I was about 13 ....1983 ....we all thought it was great also, some music is timeless !!!!............. Erik

[@michaelstusiak5902]

Great job. I really enjoyed the doc Beware of Mr. Baker and bought Ginger's book after watching your wonderful video. It's sad, but our heroes are getting older and passing on. Thanks again .

[@abradfordajb]

Man, you've got the best stories. I don't know anywhere else i could ever have heard about Jack & Ginger rolling around in a fight on the stage .... with the audience singing "She Loves You" !!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@brahmburgers]

I was in my mid-teens when Cream formed. I was at a boarding school in Madrid Spain, already playing guitar in R&B bands. I ordered their 1st album by mail, and would sit on the floor with hi-fi speakers on each side, and listen to it over and over, volume high. It was in the ''common room' so the other boys in the room would have to hear it.

[@stgenterprisesinc.7143]

I was 15 when Cream hit the scene. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[@rogerhinshelwood7308]

Thank you. Absolutely brilliant. A proper journey through Cream's history. Still the best band ever.

[@3rdtonefromthesun]

This documentary is the most comprehensive of the band I have ever seen - I would go as far to say definitive. Well done!👏

[@rosariodeleon541]

There will never be another group like “Cream.” They are all geniuses in their own right.

[@moonrich3492]

Cream was founded in July 1966. Buffalo Springfield debuted on April 11, 1966, at The Troubadour in LA. What a year! (Later, Eric Clapton and Stephen Stills became friends and played together.)

[@dobleclanger]

The flourishing of the music scene was huge with the Vietnam war and acid. It was like super fertilized sudden plant growth.,🪴✌️

[@onoyudont]

There's a vid here now on YT of Jack ,on Hammond B(?) playing with Stills on a live set including Black Queen. Steve is a little over his skis on the vocal , but it is a bit of history , you shouldn't pass up.

[@mastrobun]

Awesome recreation of a stormy but glorious period of English rock. I was however disappointed of no mention of the song Crossroads, unless I missed it somewhere. I guess I'm jaded because the overall treatment was excellent with photos that brought it all back for me. Cream will live forever!

[@JRM---516]

Great job, James! I remember hearing Sunshine of your Love at a friend's house, shortly after its release. I kept asking my friend to keep playing the song numereous times on the turntable. To this day, Cream's music remains a part of my life -- 55 years later!

[@Blork1999]

Well done! I knew their famous songs and now I know the story of the group.

[@hollyweird8]

This is the most excellent music documentary I have ever seen. Your attention to detail is simply amazing.

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Wow, thank you!

[@mrkipling2201]

I started listening to Cream quite a few years ago. My Dad has always been a fan of Cream, mainly because of Eric Clapton. I think he went to the same school as Clapton, although my Dad was a few years below him. It's strange that the music my Dad would play when I was a kid, I listen to nowadays!! Blues, 1960's rock and Psychedelic stuff etc..

[@walterfechter8080]

"There will never be another band like Cream" -- Ginger Baker

[@bderrick4944]

“There will never be another person on Earth like me.” - me

[@walterfechter8080]

@@bderrick4944 So very true!

[@davidzimmerli489]

I almost saw Cream at the Eastman Theater in Rochester, New York in 1968. My friend and I were teenagers seated in the Theater eagerly awaiting our musical heroes to take the stage and blow our minds, when an announcement was made over the PA that the group had canceled. Bummer! We left thoroughly disappointed. Years later I read that their equipment hadn't arrived and that was the reason they had canceled. Seeing your excellent documentary, I now wonder if Ginger's drug problem as well as his ongoing feud with Jack Bruce wasn't the real reason they canceled. Best documentary I've ever seen on the group! Thank you!

[@robjones2408]

Ginger and Jack were always at each other's throats. They were with Graham Bond in the early 60s, and Ginger pulled a knife on Jack during one violent altercation.

[@davidzimmerli489]

@@robjones2408 I had read that somewhere. Ginger had an awful temper. It went along with his fiery red hair ....

[@joebloggs8636]

I was there too, I live in Roch cha cha!

[@davidzimmerli489]

@@joebloggs8636 As they say, Joe, it's a small world. We must be about the same age. I remember how disappointed we were. I think Vanilla Fudge agreed to extend their show to make up for Cream's cancellation. Or we could get a refund. My friend and I did neither. We just left. Did you decide to stay for the Vanilla Fudge? And I was wondering where did you go to high school? I went to West High ....

[@joebloggs8636]

@@davidzimmerli489 Hi David, I was at East high,1973 was my graduation year. I left ,which was pretty stupid...Not sure why we did but I definitely regret it. It doesn't sound like me either because in those days we saw EVERYONE.Used to see Black Sheep with Lou ...I lived on the Eastside.

[@earthjustice01]

Great story telling! Cream was my favourite band when I was a teenager. I used to listen to the live version of "crossroads" over and over. Saw them live in 1968 in Vancouver. It was a great concert and incredibly loud!

[@blueskywalker76]

My man!! I love all your Oasis videos, then your Beatles ones, but Cream... MY MAN!! 🙌 Thank you for this brother 🤗

[@marcusbrothers5221]

That Rolling Stone review was sincere. If the editor in chief of the magazine didn't catch this conflict of interest, he should have been fired. But you have a right to your own opinions. All the things he says about cream, I have said about pink Floyd and tool. I also think cream sounds like shit live. I couldn't believe how bad the sound was at Lord Albert Hall. Cream indeed....

[@yankee7809]

Terrific! Clapton, Bruce and Baker are my favorite musicians ever. I always compare new heavy blues and rock bands to Cream and sadly they always fall far short.

[@guitargus4504]

Really good insight to this great band James...I was a fan from the start 1966 aged 12...I have all the original singles and LP's...I was at the Goodbye gig at the RAH (1st show) ...EC was the reason I took up guitar...They were such great innovaters from the UK (along with The Beatles who I also loved and saw live in Dec 1963 aged 9) - Cheers Gus PS - as an aside...I played in a band that was hired to play the opening act to a showing of the BBC film of the Goodbye Cream concert on 26 Nov 1968 at the RAH...So can I say I supported Cream...?

[@erichaskell]

You absolutely smashed it, very well done in all respects. Thank you.

[@TheStrongBoyz19]

I do love this band and Derek and the Dominos are to me another strong band Clapton was a part of during his career. Cream's always one of my most favourite psychedelic bands.

[@casedismissed8581]

yes, with derek and the dominoes clapton confronts his superior, DUANE !!

[@thomasturner8064]

I only wish there was more footage of Derek and the Dominoes. The only time I've ever seen them was on the Johnny Cash show dvd. Great footage, but only a few songs and the only thing I can find on them. Would've been great if they had Duane come along.

[@Ukraine_Rocks-OK]

I love this presentation. To continue the feud in the afterlife phrase, has so much warmth, humor and assurance that it's not the end, I just love the phrase where it is. ❤❤❤

[@wesfort2822]

After all this time I never knew Cream was your favorite band. I would have bet the farm that it was Oasis... Thanks for the consistently high quality content.

[@matttisdale7606]

Brilliant band, I've always loved them! Such an amazing trio. Thank you for this excellent synopsis, James!

[@5150show]

Fantastic. Just subbed . Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Thanks and welcome

[@PeteHummers-my3kv]

Brilliant video! I was obsessed with Cream's first album when it came out (I was 17) and got to see them closeup for several gigs in the Café au Go Go (a small room) in NY on their first American tour. They were amazing live! My friend handed Eric's dropped pick to him - we always got the table right in front of him~

[@PeteHummers-my3kv]

I don't know his situation at the time but after one set Eric & Jack helped Ginger offstage & there was a big puddle under Ginger's stool. We told ourselves it was sweat~

[@brahmburgers]

I was in my mid-teens when Cream formed. I was at a boarding school in Madrid Spain, already playing guitar in R&B bands. I ordered their 1st album by mail, and would sit on the floor with hi-fi speakers on each side, and listen to it over and over, volume high. It was in the ''common room' so the other boys in the room would have to hear it.

[@robinwoodbury2563]

What a masterful job you've done here. I imagine it took countless hours to bring all this information together and organize it in such a coherent manner. Thanks so much!

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Much appreciated :)

[@johnpatterson6448]

This is a brilliant doc. I thought I knew about Cream. I didn’t. I also learned the true reason that Eric got the nickname ‘Slowhand’ which - unlike what I had always been told - is nothing to do with his style of playing.

[@blucheer8743]

Jack was the best bassist of that era by far… his tone and playing on the early cream records using a fender 6 sting was much more like a rhythm guitarist. That combined with gingers “runs” was just classic! Later as Cream evolved their sound a more “heavy” sound, jack switched guitars to Gibson 4 string with a built in preamp giving him a very heavy distorted tone. Playing in higher registers and “running” the scales up and and down really gave the Cream rhythm section a sound unparalleled. One can only imagined if Cream added Stevie Winwood to the band rather than break up what could have been accomplished.

[@tonym994]

on the well known 'Crossroads',Jack IS a rhythm guitarist on bass. only Lemmy, as far as power, comes close.

[@tonym994]

the CREAM box set has a bit of that late re-union, and all things considered, it's not bad. but you can't be young and reckless twice. but Ginger seemed to be the only one truly interested in preserving his hearing. I can't get enough of 'beware Mr. Baker'.

[@theonemodifier]

Subjective.

[@oceancrosby4578]

Jack was also the "powerhouse vocalist" of the band and a prolific writer. Small wonder he tried and mostly succeeded in dominating the band.

[@paulclarke7571]

Outstanding job! I learned more in 58 minutes than I ever thought possible. You do incredibly thorough work. Please keep it coming. Cheers from Canada.

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Thanks, will do!

[@stevecowder4774]

What an excellent documentary !! I’ve always loved Cream but after having seen this video, I know more about them than ever before and have gained even more respect for them. It never ceases to amaze me how bands feud those guys did and yet still deliver the goods. But that’s the mark of a great band.

[@MrCherryJuice]

Wonderful! Thank you. I recall quite vividly the first time I heard the opening for 'I Feel Free' on the radio. Wow! And 57 years later I am still thrilled to hear it. It signalled a shift from the music to the players - suddently the narrative was about the players, not just the songs. Here are a few points: - 'Alex Corner' should have read 'Alexis Korner'. The other two chaps in the early photo of Jack on acoustic bass are Dick Heckstall-Smith on sax and Cyril Davies of harp, both with the Korner and Davies band Blues Incorporated, which included Charlie Watts on drums. Korner and Davies founded the Ealing Club in Ealing, West London, which became the epicentre for the British blues scene before having a weekly residency at the Marquee Club. It was during one of those nights that the Rolling Stones first performed. - The insinuation that Baker and Clapton chose to work together in Blind Faith is incorrect. Clapton, Rick Grech and Steve Winwood were rehearsing when Baker showed up one day and invited himself into the band. That band lasted an album and a tour before Clapton joined Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, the tour's opening act. That band had been recommended as an opener by George Harrison, who wanted to sign them to the Apple label and would later join them on their UK and Euro tour dates. - I too read that 'Wheels of Fire' was awarded a platinum disc. In fact, it was said that the platinum disc was invented because of the success of that album. However, the website of the RIAA (which awards such discs) notes that it wasn't until 1976 that the platinum disc was introduced, and the first to score was the Eagles 'Greatest Hits', which has sold in excess of 30 million. - Baker complaining about volume damaging his ears was ironic given all his smoking, toking, drinking and drugging. - Baker's tune 'Waltz for a Pig' was the B-side of the Who's 'Substitute' and was a recording by the Graham Bond Organisation. At the time, the Who were in dispute with producer Shel Talmy. Though there was originally a Talmy-produced B-side, the dispute prompted the band to replace it with the GBO tune after the initial pressing run. - When Clapton played on 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', the guitar he played was the red Les Paul named 'Lucy'. He had previously gifted it to George. It previously belonged to John Sebastian of the Loving Spoonful, at which time it was a sunburst with a Bigsby string bender. Rick Derringer, then of the McCoys, was next to own it. He had it refinished in red, the Bigsby removed and possibly had the neck shaved (he's not a big lad). He didn't like the results so had the shop sell it...at which point Clapton purchased it. - As someone else mentions below, your omission of BBM with Gary Moore and their album 'Around the Next Dream' is rather conspicuous. No, it isn't Cream, though one could argue that it came closer than what we saw with the Cream reunion gigs. I also have a bootleg live CD of Bruce and Moore with Gary Husband playing a UK club. Ferocious! Thank you again. It is nice to see someone keeping the Cream story alive. You did a very fine job. -

[@matthewmoran4158]

Every time you say " Jack and Ginger " I think of the drink. Great documentary!

[@azbluesdog]

Fantastic storytelling. Cream was as complicated a band as they were talented.

[@DavidMFChapman]

This is a detailed and informative history of one of my favourite bands ever.

[@JCridford]

This is the best Cream doco by a mile, James. As they are your favourite band, I hope you'll be doing more deep-dives in future, as I feel they are quite overlooked these days.

[@warrenfriesner4940]

Despite the dearth of audio clips, this is a beautifully crafted documentary offering great insights and counterpoints into the dynamics of one of Rock's greatest bands from the players themselves. It's the first time I really came to understand the degree of strife within the band and why the members of Cream had little choice other than to pull the plug in '68.

[@derekstocker6661]

What a marathon video this is! Wow, so much detail, great film and pics and what a fabulous story told here so extremely well! Thanks so very much for this, more than entertaining and just amazing. RIP Jack and Ginger.

[@morenowg]

Thank you for your informative and enlightening video. During their time in San Francisco I was here in my teenage years appreciating all the fantastic music coming to the Fillmore West, Carousel Ballroom, Winterland and Shaggy Dog. The Cream was my favorite group, even more so than either, the Stones or Beatles. However my favorite of all time when it comes to psychedelic music was the man , Jimmy Hendrix.

[@josephmooney1265]

Saw Jack Bruce and Ginger in Baltimore, when?, sometime in the late 80s or 90s at Hammerjacks. The band was great. At the end, Ginger chanted, “God bless Jack Bruce!” Over and over. It was kind of sweet.

[@kaysmith5495]

I saw Cream in concert in Denver in the late sixties. I was not at all impressed but later in life, I rediscovered their music and am now a fan. I started taking music lessons a couple years ago and I have a new found appreciation for the talent and skill level needed for Cream’s music. More recently, I discovered Derek and the Dominoes! Best ever!

[@philatio3535]

Awesome man, glad to see you saw/took my suggestion on doing a vid on them, appreciate tf out of it, can't find much on them on YT especially with as much depth as you put into your research/videos

[@Falk4J]

Thank you so much for this really comprehensive look on one of my fav bands of back in the day! Unfortunately I never got to experience them life on stage but of course they had been regular guests on my record player. I think until today their sound has an unparalleled magic to it. And I am glad that Clapton still dwells among us though Ginger and Bruce hopefully are harmonizing finally in the afterworld.

[@gilesglossop5071]

A magnificent documentary about a band I've loved since the mid 80's. In a past age when television was half decent, perhaps in the early 70's, Mr. Hargreaves would have have had his own music programme, and brilliant it would have been too. My favourite band ever is Free, and if he is fan, may he do a similar history on them? By the way, I think I'm the only one who really likes "Wrapping Paper" ha ha

[@ClaydenLee]

Fellow enjoyer of Wrapping Paper here! I wanna cover it

[@vayabroder729]

What an amazing documentary; this one touches on many different points than all the others I’ve seen before. Thank you!

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Good history lesson here! I never saw Cream live, but bought and listened to all their albums as they came out back in the day. They were a big influence on my musical development. The stuff they recorded is still great. Thanks for doing your history homework on this great band.

[@brahmburgers]

I was in my mid-teens when Cream formed. I was at a boarding school in Madrid Spain, already playing guitar in R&B bands. I ordered their 1st album by mail, and would sit on the floor with hi-fi speakers on each side, and listen to it over and over, volume high. It was in the ''common room' so the other boys in the room would have to hear it.

[@jl8217]

Beautifully written and presented. Thanks for posting

[@assininecomment1630]

Having only a basic understanding of Cream music, and the members backgrounds, this has been a wonderful learning experience. For me at least, the human dynamics of a band's members often draw my focus away from the significance of the music itself. However, to really understand and appreciate the brief, intense flame that was Cream, I really think it's important to understand both aspects. Hugely appreciate your effort with this video, James! Well done for so effectively condensing all the background elements of this amazing band into one vid. 🙂👍

[@IvyDiRoma]

Thanks, James. I was there then but very young 12 in '66. Thanks for filling in the pic for me. Man, I loved this band. I still do.

[@skagslag1156]

This video is so great, I know it might be hard for you because the views are in all the oasis videos, but these videos are so interesting and I would really love to see what you can do with other bands like this. This video is 10/10 the whole way through absolutely enjoyed it. Legend James! Thank you for giving us great content.

[@stanciemerych1448]

I was skeptical for the first 30 seconds, but found it VERY well done!!! REALLY good documentary of the band that I learned through my older brother back in the late sixties here in the Detroit area.

[@clancykobane9102]

the fact Cream existed at all is a gift. Doesn't matter they were together so short

[@jimw.4161]

'Acrimonious circumstances' in two words pretty much sums up Ginger Baker's musical career - and his life. His life was filled with conflict - most of it self-induced. Arguably the best drummer of his generation, but hell-on-wheels to work with - in any capacity.if any bloke can be said to burn his candle from both ends, Ginger Baker is your man.

[@danielreily2701]

As a drummer and Cream fan from their start I have to say ,and I know this will piss off many, Ginger was not the greatest drummer of his generation or any other generation. He used African influences such as tom tom beats but he was no Buddy Rich , both had personality issues and to be in a band and win the popularity vote ,it is just as easy to be convivial than a total pain. When I hear him rubbish other drummers well he was a good drummer with a very bad attitude .

[@jimw.4161]

@@danielreily2701 I think that Ginger Baker thought of himself as a great drummer. I'm not qualified to judge, but I do know how was in two great bands: Cream & Blind Faith - neither of which lasted.

[@johnhead6116]

I dont see how he's even close to the best drummer of his generation. And Ive been playing drums since the 70s.

[@jimw.4161]

@@johnhead6116 Well, as a drummer 🥁, you would know better than me about Ginger's skill level. Perhaps I should have just said that Ginger Baker played in two of my favorite bands of that era: Cream and Blind Faith. I am not qualified to address his technical proficiency, but I do know that he was a crazy fucker - as evidenced by what was revealed in the documentary on his life and career. ✌

[@anthonybochichio4548]

Ginger..was the one..because in rock music..most guys cant even count 4

[@pollynovak7562]

I enjoyed every minute of this documentary.There was so much going on at that time in England.

[@anthonyskellern5970]

Excellent work, James! An epic and gripping account of one of THE best rock groups to come out of British music. I appreciate the professional presentation and reearch that it must have entailed - subscribed! I watched Eric play in the 60's with the Yardirds at Manchester's Twisted Wheel, but for some reason never saw him play live again. I saw Ginger play with the Baker Gurvitz Army in the 70's, but I never saw Jack Bruce play live at all ... too late now

[@JohnnieDelong]

Thank you for this vid. The very best info on my favorite group after the Beatles. Cream was the band that made me pick up the bass and form my first group.

[@DrSlowhand]

Excellent documentation. These guys influenced me a lot with their Crossroads performance at the farewell in the Albert Hall bringing me back to playing the guitar.

[@busterbiloxi3833]

Do us a favour and go back to NOT playing the guitar.

[@janvanzuilekom]

Great documentary and revealed for me a lot of new facts , always wondered why such a great band lasted so short, all of this make sense .

[@bartekpiwonskiofficial]

I'm glad that you told us who your favourite band really is. A really good and informative video as always.

[@renesonse5794]

Wow! What a great presentation. No "please like and subscribe" bullsh*t. No filler. Just great.

[@Boleskinebeatz]

Excellent documentary James didn’t realise you were such a Cream fan… Respect. Thought you might be amused to hear my story of working with Jack Bruce in 2012. I was doing lighting and usually I would talk to the band about what they did and didn’t like lighting wise during the soundcheck but of course Jack didn’t soundcheck at that point in his career. I used to make a special effort in those days to make the lighting as good as possible often coming in hours before I was called to see what the techs who had done the club nights had done to the lighting rig which was generally never good. Around that period I was fortunate to get a lot of really nice feedback from the bands I work with who I think could tell I’d gone the extra mile in a relatively small venue. If I didn’t get to meet some of the band in soundcheck it often wait for a respectful time whilst packing down and put my head round the dressing room door and just say hello. I’ve been in the business all my life so I know how to be in and out quickly and respectfully and generally people were always really nice even if they were knackered after a long Gig. Obviously being Jack it did cross my mind as to whether to do it but I thought “fuck it… It’s Jack Bruce it’s gotta be done “ I knocked on the dressing room door and walked in to discover Jack on his own stuffing sandwiches into his face like there was no tomorrow. Realising he wanted to be left alone to eat I simply smiled, introduced myself put my hand out and said it was nice to meet him. He just stared at me.. sandwich still in his mouth and completely blanked my handshake request so a hilarious awkward moment. However I wasn’t phased, I just smiled and walked out towards the dressing room door but as I opened the door I turned round and said “sorry to disturb you but I just wanted to say how much I really enjoyed watching you play” Suddenly there was a change of heart and he took the sandwich out of his mouth smiled and said “thanks man..I appreciate it”. For a few weeks afterwards I was mildly bummed out at my encounter until everyone I told simply said “what? That’s exactly the kind of Jack Bruce reaction I was hoping you’d describe!” As soon as I thought about it in that way it made me smile and has done ever since. Oh and for what it’s worth.. he played an absolute blinder.

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Great story thanks for sharing 👍

[@ronniebrown2517]

i knew jack and ginger did not get along but did not realize how intense it was....i was in the army from 68 to 71 and cream helped me keep my sanity....i did not realize they were THE cream at one time....very well done documentary....

[@ericleiter6179]

Great documentary ( as usual ) what an amazing band!!! You will absolutely love that Clapton show coming up...if you are drawn to bands with strong internal conflicts, you might consider doing a deep dive like this about The Who...my favorite band and one that I'm sure you would bring to life from your own unique perspective

[@arturopeterblavis1972]

Fascinating story and excellent presentation. Well done.

[@alanalmo5834]

I was not sure that there was anything to add on the story of Cream, given the various biographies etc but congrats JHG you have made a credible and valuable addition to the story. By some fluke, I was at the first come-back gig at the Albert Hall. The day of the very first performance a friend and I drove down from Yorkshire and witnessed something so, so special. By no means flawless (the CD that came out had very little of the first day's performance) but just great history in the making and they took me back to my youth with their brilliant songs. Essentially the gigs were Jack and Ginger's retirement funds as they had, sad to say, injected their previous earnings away.

[@DavidBozek92109]

Wow. An incredibly well done documentary about Cream. Thank you.

[@gregh9975]

Yep...Beware Mr Baker indeed. I always heard that Clapton spent a lot of time just keeping Bruce and Baker separated. That epic and masterful rendition of "Crossroads" with a sweating and maniacal Ginger literally pummeling the poor skins , and Jack tearing up his base strings will live on forever in memory..

[@KremBotop]

Haven't heard much of Cream admittedly, but this channel has been so great in its storytelling that this will definitely still be a worthwhile watch. One thing that I've heard though, was that Ginger Baker did grow to heavily dislike the heavy metal scene which is very ironic since he greatly helped in creating it. Keep up the good work!

[@alexneill8338]

I think when Heavy Metal actually became a tangible genre in the 70s, some of the heavy rock musicians from the 60s who had inspired its creation were sceptical because they deemed it too unartistic, derivative and crass, despite the obvious musical influence. It was to be many years before Metal would taken seriously as an art form.

[@skidancin]

​@alexneill8338 was metal taken seriously as an art form early in the 70s? Id say by many, depends on who you ask.

[@mattsweeny3957]

What???m Listen up Sonny..The Cream were The Shit...Matt NYC

[@davidcollin1436]

Early 70s metal was garbage

[@brahmburgers]

Karl Marx, later in life, was asked if he was a Marxist. He said 'no.'

[@jupiterlegrand4817]

I rarely listen to drum solos...but I sure listen when it's Ginger Baker. THE most recognizable, personal sounding drummer ever. Like all of the greatest drummers (Buddy, Elvin Jones, Art Blakey) he didn't play drums, he played MUSIC.

[@ShazbotNanewNanew]

😂Neil Pert didnt hear ya 😂😂 ..not these 6 piece kits😅

[@intricacy9490]

I've always believed Toad talks

[@ronaldzent6321]

Nice Documentary, there James. Despite the seemingly perpetual seething turmoils within the group, they probably three of the Greatest Rock musicians ever, Jack Bruce, strong voice and great Bass playing, Eric Clapton with his Strong Blues Based Guitar licks and Ginger Baker, one of the greatest percussionists ever. So much energy and power from just THREE guys!, Amazing.

[@NeilCrouse99]

Very, VERY well done. I am grateful for someone who is as big a fan as you are to Cream to make this video. If you put this much detail into other groups you will do more than just fine. I would think you could/would become the go too place for R&R History... 🤘😎🤘

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

Finally a documentary where somebody has done the research. Thank you!

[@t.seank.529]

Felix Pappalardi’s production influence can not be underestimated. Pappalardi stripped away a lot of the blues cliches and emphasized the matching lines of guitar and bass, making Bruce’s bass not the traditional follow the bass drum pattern but the lead melodic line. Felix was a trained classical musician as was Jack Bruce. Fresh Cream (produced by Bob Stigwood, Cream’s manager)was a good album by great musicians but Disraeli Gears (heavily influenced by Hendrix and even psychedelic bands from the US) was revolutionary and changed pop music. Sunshine of your love in particular was imho the first heavy rift power song to be a top of the charts hit.

[@JamesThompson-zk1ht]

“Felix Pappalardi’s production influence cannot be underestimated.” Why do so many people get confused about this? I think it’s because they’re repeating something they’ve heard, by rote, and don’t actually understand it themselves. Therefore they get confused about which way it should go. If your intention is to praise the man to the utmost, then “underestimated” IS the right way to go in a formulation like “Don’t underestimate his influence here”. But what you’ve actually written is precisely backwards. You’re trying to say that his influence was so great that it’s impossible to value it too highly, because there’s no such thing as any higher value than just what it’s worth. That is, his influence cannot be OVERestimated, because no estimate could be any higher than just what’s appropriate. Yeah, I know. A large number of those of you who do get this confused will react by being sneeringly defensive. To whom I ask, what’s the point here? Presumably you’re trying to communicate what you’re thinking to others. If you’re taking the time and trouble to do that at all, don’t you want it to succeed? The same idea applies to spelling and grammar and punctuation. Isn’t your object to leave the reader with a clear understanding of what you’re trying to say? It’s not about “rules” for their own sake. The rules are the conventions that, when shared, ALLOW us to understand each other, and to be properly understood in turn. Isn’t that the objective? And for those of you who have been confused about when to use “overestimated” vs. “underestimated” in this context, and who have read this without just getting defensive, I hope this has helped.

[@JamesThompson-zk1ht]

“riff”, not “rift”

[@robertneilley2136]

LN m I’m ok I’m o Jo no no no no no no no I’m on

[@robertneilley2136]

In I’m on I’m L I’

[@Jipwell]

I was vety surprised to see this in my recommended! You never fail to impress me with some of your picks!

[@johnallen6945]

One added comment about Ginger. That, "Beware Mr. Baker," really gave me some insight into Ginger. The last thing he got from his father at age 5 (whom he dearly loved) was a short letter telling him, "Your fists are your best friend. They will help you." He wanted to be a tough guy like his dad.

[@yangchan8002]

The first cream song I heard was"white room"from the radio 😮 and I fall in love with the song ❤️ and I like it so much I went to the record store brought a cassette tape 😀😅 with the song on it 😁 and now on KZbin I saw a video of them playing sunshine of my life WOW that was amazing the baseline guitar solo and the driving drum beat

[@IraSiegel]

I saw the band Masters of Reality in 1990 with Ginger on drums and it was one of the most unique I’ve ever seen. I was feet away from a living (at the time) legend.

[@scottyh1509]

Me and a friend saw Ginger's jazz band in nyc at the Iridium in the late 90's. They sounded wonderful. We went to the green room and chatted with the band for almost an hour. Ginger was very nice and answered our questions, one other fan was in the room talking to Ginger as well. Ginger and his girlfriend left after 30-40 minutes. I asked Ginger a question about Clapton and I could tell from his answer that he really loved Eric and missed him. The documentary "Beware of Mr. Baker" is excellent.

[@ice-iu3vv]

i knew ginger baker and played sax with him in the denver area from 1996 into the early 2000s. some thoughts about him that are worth adding to this documentary. he didnt usually like rock music at all, and he spoke poorly of most rock musicians,and rock drummers in particular. he considered keith moon and john bonham to be among the poor drummers, and he was very confused at their fine reputations. the only rock drummer he thought much of was charlie watts of the rolling stones. when i asked on repeated occasions for more detail on his opinion of other drummers, all i got, every time, was "if it dont got that swing, it dont mean a thing". he tired of my questions about cream, and the late 60s in general. when i asked "dont you have any fond memories of those days"? he answered "i dont have any memory of those days at all ". and he seemed to mean it, though he surely knew who eric and jack were, and he still knew how to play cream's music. he ended every show with "sunshine of your love", because he knew the crowd wanted it, but otherwise it was strictly a jazz band. he scoffed at the idea that "surely there will be a cream reunion some day", as i suggested, he said it was basically impossible. when i asked "wouldnt you and jack do it if eric called you up with an offer of a big payday"? he said "well yeah of course if the money was split anywhere close to even, but eric has become much more famous than us and i dont see that happening." luckily they did get together at royal alburt hall in 2005. im very glad that happened. they apparently didnt rehearse much at all, (only1 short evening before the performances). but they sounded tight, as if it hadnt been over 35 years since they played together. anyone who hasnt seen that concert needs to check it out on youtube. my favorites from that show are "white room" and "toad". i can support the well known premise that ginger was difficult to be around at times. one helluva drummer though.

[@DF-ee8vt]

Great job piecing together the many complicated revolving doors of this story. I was able to follow along. Unfortunately, bands with more than one dominant personality tend to experience similar difficulties.

[@mfrankel8321]

James, what a brilliant labor of love you provide to one of the greatest ock groups of all time, Cream. I have never heard the story told so well and so honestly. Thank you.❤

[@820hurleyj]

I was in 7th grade in 1967 and that's when I heard Sunshine of Your Love. I then heard Tales of Brave Ulysses and fell in love with the WahWah pedal. Things just got worse with White Room. And then I heard Crossroads. Cream was by then my all-time favorite group with Clapton being my favorite guitarist ever. My opinion still hasn't changed.

[@cosmicHalArizona]

White Room one of my favorite tunes. Great vocals

[@820hurleyj]

@@cosmicHalArizona yep. Jack Bruce really nailed it, as usual.

[@Skitzoidman]

I listened to my Best Of Cream album while listening to the video, ending appropriately with I Feel Free. Must say my favorites are the Blues tracks by Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, and Booker T Jones. But, the songs by Jack are excellent, and a tribute to Homer's Ulysses warms my cockles too. Now I'd like to know about the career of Felix Pappalardi who I remember from The Rascals... oops, that was Felix Cavaliere... my bad... lol