Cream’s last year of existence was marked by fights between members, a tour of the United States and a farewell album
THE Cream it existed for a short time, but it left its mark on the history of music. Not only for composing a supergroup in times when the term was not even coined, but also for helping to develop heavier sounds in rock that led to the genesis of heavy metal.
Jack Bruce (voice and bass), Eric Clapton (guitar and vocals) and Ginger Baker (drums) had a unique chemistry, as impressive as it was dangerous. Not surprisingly, the group lasted a short time: from 1966 to 1968. And, in the end, the members of the trio practically no longer spoke to each other.
Clapton states that, in this context, he was forced to record an album he didn’t want. In 1968, it was decided that the Cream would close its activities, largely due to fights between bruce and Baker. Before that, the trio were supposed to do one last tour and an album, aptly named Goodbye (1969).
In an interview with Los Angeles Times (via Far Out Magazine), Clapton spoke about the situation of Cream at the end of its existence. The guitarist said:
We run out of ideas and creative impulse. Last year we were like zombies. Just going with the flow. And that was very, very painful. We actually traveled in separate limos and everything, so we didn’t need to talk to each other. We didn’t even need to see each other until we got on stage.”
On Goodbyethe album consists of three live tracks and three more recorded in the studio, under the direction of the producer Felix Pappalardialso a member of the mountain. Clapton he even declared that he was forced to make this album, since, because of it, the group would have ended its activities without any recording or special tour.
“Slowhand” said:
It was something I couldn’t find a way out of. I don’t know, I was out of strength. And when you’re exhausted from touring and dealing with the situation, you don’t really have the mental energy to muster up the courage to say, ‘Listen, I’m leaving.’”
In addition to the launch, the Cream performed 22 shows in the United States, in addition to two at the Royal Albert Hall, in London. The relationship between the musicians only worsened with each performance, which also affected the performances. Eric was in the middle of a real war between Ginger and Jackwhich only ended with the end of the band.
Eric Clapton’s Obligation
Eric Clapton never explained the exact reason why he felt obliged to make his farewell album. Cream. Contractual issues with the label are probably the most obvious answer, but there is an “apocryphal” story about the real “pressure”. Who the account is Phil Spectorproducer who died in prison after murdering the actress Lana Clarksonin a 1969 interview with Rolling Stone USA.
Second Philthe person responsible for convincing the Cream to release a last album would have been the president of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun. The strategy was curious: he used a lie about the critic and also the music producer Jerry Wexlerfamous for creating the term “rhythm & blues”. Spector told:
THE Cream was ending and he (Ertegun) said, ‘guys, you need to make a final album for me.’ They said, ‘Why, man? We hate each other’, or something like that. Ahmet said, ‘Oh no guys, you have to make one more album for me. Jerry Wexler he has cancer, and he’s dying and he wants to hear one more album from you’. So they go, make the album and he says, ‘So guys, Jerry Wexler he’s not dying, he’s much better, he’s improved’.”
True or not, the fact is that almost none of those involved in the story are alive to confirm it. Wexler if it was in 2008, Ertegun left in 2006 and Spector died in 2021. Regarding the Cream, Jack Bruce left us in 2014 and Ginger Baker passed away 2019. Eric Claptonat 79 years old, is the only musician from the trio still alive.
Goodbye It was released with the band already separated and reached the top of the British charts, as well as second place in the United States. The main highlight is “Badge”song that Clapton sign with George Harrison. THE Beatles also plays guitar on the track, credited on the album under the pseudonym “L’Angelo Misterioso”.
Collaborated: André Luiz Fernandes.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
