Cream: Eric Clapton, Jack Gruce and Ginger Baker -- The Legendary 60's Supergroup (Book) [Paperback]

Chris Welch (Author), Cream (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2000

Written by Chris Welch, former Melody Maker journalist and Cream confidante, this newly-researched book is the first full account of rock's premiere three-man supergroup: guitarist Eric Clapton, bassist Jack Bruce, and drummer Ginger Baker. From Cream's formation in 1966 to their breakup in 1968, the book analyzes the group's working methods and offers detailed descriptions of all their recordings. A special section explores the musical interactions of Clapton, Bruce and Baker, plus key songwriters Bruce and Pete Brown. With rare full-color photos throughout, it also includes a complete discography, studio sessionography, and diary of live shows.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879306246
• ISBN-13: 978-0879306243
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Cream than Harvey's Bristol!, September 13, 2003

By 

chris meesey Food Czar (The Colony, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Cream: Eric Clapton, Jack Gruce and Ginger Baker -- The Legendary 60's Supergroup (Book) (Paperback)

Rock journalist Chris Welch, who helped spread the gospel according to Cream in the pages of that wonderful British rock journal Melody Maker, gives us a wonderful overview of one of the most influential bands of the sixties. Each member is profiled in a personal interview section (including Pete Brown, the poet and semi-official "fourth member" of Cream who cowrote many of the bands hits with bassist Jack Bruce.) These reminiscences are candid and straightforward (Ginger Baker's especially so) and show both dizzying highs (the Fillmore West and Winterland concerts) and profound lows (Eric Clapton's angst over the famous Rolling Stone article which proclaimed him "master of the blues cliches.")The book also shows how even a great record company like Atlantic can fail to capitalize on the band's unique genius. (According to Jack Bruce, they were more interested in the Bee Gees.)It's a great read, with one or two minor quibbles. Even though there is some detail about the band member's post-Cream activities, more would be welcome, especially concerning Ginger Baker's alleged financial difficulties. Also, in the otherwise excellent diary section (a great idea, by the way), concert dates and recording sessions are chronicled thoroughly, yet there is no mention of the supporting act at the famous August 2, 1966 gig at Klook's Kleek. This was truly an historic occasion, as that supporting act was none other than Savoy Brown, and the concert not only helped break both bands, but also got Savoy Brown their first recording contract and began a musical legacy that is still going strong today. Other than these minor flaws, the book is very well written and deserves a place on your shelf, next to your Eric Claption biographies.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential Cream, February 21, 2001

By 

C. Paquette - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cream: Eric Clapton, Jack Gruce and Ginger Baker -- The Legendary 60's Supergroup (Book) (Paperback)

A very good overview of the band - more like a Cream scrapbook than anything else, with lots of pictures of the band, their singles, albums, and all things Cream. My only gripe with the book is that it offers no new interviews with Clapton - all of his quotes are taken from long-ago interviews or existing videos ("Cream: Strange Brew" etc.) and a modern-day interview that had Clapton looking back on the band in retrospect would have given the book more clout. Ginger Baker and particularly Jack Bruce do contribute new interviews and info, though, and the discography and session date charts at the back of the book will be a boon to any fan. If you want to know about what happened within Cream in its heyday, this is the book for you.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Cream Book an Indispensable Reference Book, January 15, 2001

By 

SF Sorrow (Laguna Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cream: Eric Clapton, Jack Gruce and Ginger Baker -- The Legendary 60's Supergroup (Book) (Paperback)

The new book on the Cream entitled "Cream: The Legendary Sixties Supergroup" is an essential read for all fans of the late, great power trio. Penned by former Melody Maker Chief reporter (and Cream confidant) Chris Welch, this book provides a detailed and accurate account of the supergroups short lived career. Other writers contribute profiles of each member and apparently had the cooperation of each member of the group. The book is also lavishly illustrated with tons of great photos, memorabilia, record sleeves, etc. and is attractively laid out. Another vital feature of the book is the gig list annotated with contemporaneous reviews. Highly Recommended.