Eric was part of several bands including Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominoes, Delaney & Bonnie. As a solo artist, his collaborations have been legendary. He makes it look so easy, but the virtuosity is undeniable. Amazingly, he was hesitant to take on lead vocals, not being very confident in his singing ability. Thank goodness he overcame that. This performance is stellar, and you correctly identify the great talent of all 3 musicians, not just Eric. 1 + 1 + 1 = 100!

Eric Clapton was the first and remains the only musician to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 3 times. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Yardbirds, again as a member of Cream, then again as a solo artist.

Real guitars, real drums, real vocals, no computers, no auto tune, no editing…. Just three incredible musicians caught at this moment in time! Incredible!

Jack Bruce's bass on this song is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

This is Cream. They were the cream. Three top musicians, the best of their kind. How can't it be so good. He was 23 at this time.

Clapton was on fire for this performance, and Jack Bruce on the bass is practically playing a separate lead. Amazing that this much music came out of 3 guys, no tricks! This is why graffiti at that time said "Clapton is God!" I have thought since the day this was released that this is the best live jam I've ever heard.

WOW, it's difficult to fathom that, as a guitarist, you've not heard this before. It's impossible to overestimate the importance and influence of this performance. Clapton's attack and phrasing here were just ferocious. In 1968 there were 2 guys who could improvise a solo at this level. One was Clapton, the other was Hendrix. I recall an "in the listening booth" segment with Steve Lukather back in the 80s with this performance as the topic. His take was, "It doesn't get any better than this, unless it's Voodoo Child (Slight Return)." Every bend, every vibrato, it's state of the art." The influence of Clapton's Cream playing has been felt by every generation of blues/rock players, whether they're aware of it or not. "Crossroads" was THE standard for lead guitarists throughout the 70s. Eddie Van Halen was obsessed with these licks for his entire life. He played them flawlessly in an interview with Lisa Robinson. The performance can be found on KZfaq. On a side not, it's important to mention that the video in this clip is NOT of the actual performance. Clapton was playing the "Fool" SG on this performance, not the ES-335. This video footage is from the '68 performance at the RAH, not the 3/10/68 Fillmore show, which is where the audio was actually recorded. That original audio was later mixed with this video footage.

"look how calm he is". That's why his nickname is Slowhand. Effortless brilliance.

You need to react to Clapton's song Layla which he recorded with his band Derek and the Dominoes in 1970. Clapton had switched from the Gibson humbucker/Marshall sound, he made famous in Cream, to a Fender Stratocaster with a small Fender Amp. He was joined by the legendary Duane Allman on guitar who used a Gibson Les Paul on the song. This track is musical fireworks, as the two guitar greats play off of each other. Duane showcased his incredible slide guitar technique. Interestedly, Duanne died in a motorcycle accident around a year after this was recorded. He was just 24 years of age. Please listen to the original album version.

This was one of the super groups of the 60's. Everyone of the 3 guys (Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker & Eric Clapton) was super talented but they also had big egos. So they didn't always get a long. They all came from previous successful bands. But in the few short years they were together they produced some classic songs such as "White Room", "Born Under A Bad Sign", "Tales Of Brave Ulysses", "Strange Brew", "Sunshine Of Your Love", "SWLABR" etc.

One of the best times for Clapton. More intense, he's on fire. So is the Entire band. Fantastic bass and drums too. Notice Clapton playing off the cymbals on his solos. Baker and Bruce are killing it too.

This was "the" song that started it. It was written by Robert Johnson in the 30's. Cream married blues with rock. Everyone who came after emulated this.

This is the Mt. Everest of guitar solos. I’ve listened to this a thousand times and never gotten bored with it. The only thing to equal it is Jimi’s “Voodoo Child.”

"24 NIGHTS" live concert is the finest selections and performances you could ever hope to hear. All on one album. If I could have only one album for the rest of my life, it'd be this one. I know, because I can't imagine living without it. Nothing could replace it. (This, coming from my eclectic self. That's a huge statement.) Also, his guests are all spectacular in their own rights. With the likes of Steve Winwood and Jimmy Johnson!! There's not an average performance on it. 🎤 🎸 🎹

I'm 43 now and HAD to learn the guitar because of this song and these solos... that was when I was 7 or 8, had my first guitar at 9. Still sends shivers down my spine every single time!!!

Cream - Sunshine of Your Love. One of the most iconic songs of all time

It should be noted that the video is from the "Goodbye" (?) movie and the sound is from the "Wheels of Fire" album. The two events were several months apart. The performance was before the video.

Old school music!! You know, no autotune, real musicians, play real music, playing real instruments using skill, talent and musicianship!!! Makes me weep when comparing to the pasteurised, homogenised, computer generated pap. Class, sheer perfection, sheer class!!😁😁🇬🇧

Favourite Cream track and a classic. One of the best live performances ever. Eric calm and stoned.

I'm an old Millennial so the first time I heard Clapton was his MTV Unplugged album. I remember later on hearing about how he was this "guitar god" and I was confused because I thought of him as that Tears In Heaven guy. Eventually I heard Cream and his solo work and finally understood. Cream rips!

CREAM - aka The worlds first super group… the totality of what a 3 piece band was intended to be… Clapton is in a league of his own and he was my dads favorite musician of all time… unknowingly as a youngster, I had no idea he was passing along the gift of music all them years of our road trips, family vacations, just me and my dad kinda stuff, and so many other COUNTLESS MILES ALL OVER AMERICA… Above em all, CLAPTON was the man with the title BOSS when musicians gathered on any stage in my dads eyes… he never forced it on me but always encouraged me to just pick up the guitar… as our musical fates would ride together for 44 strong years, we both got to see Clapton live for each of our first times in 2007, together!!! Needless to say I finally took the advice from my dad and when we got home the next night I literally “just picked up the guitar” and got a little committed.. 3 months later we were making music together… my dad died just 7 short weeks ago and Sir Eric Clapton will most likely never know just how much he impacted me and my dad… so anytime I hear Clapton specifically now I can’t help but go back to that place where it made a man and his fathers already unbreakable bond into one that was never even questioned… and for that I’ll always be grateful…

Hearing someone say "hopefully good music" about Cream is just crazy to me, but I was around to hear them play then - Eric Clapton was in a lot of bands, all incredible - I have heard him play an 8 minute guitar solo live and it never got old - he is one pf the greatest guitarists in rock history - Ginger Baker is the metronome

Eric Clapton started out in a group called the Yardbirds. The Yardbirds had several major guitarists i.e. Jimmy Page do yourself a favor and Google the Yardbirds. It was in the 60's and they played at my high school. Funny when you're 16 that you don't realize you're seeing future legends

One can only imagine the buzz the crowd got from the euphoria that night. To experience that live performance must have been electrifying. Magic (among other things) was definitely in the air that evening. The audience must've had a smile that remained for days after that show. Another superb performance by Clapton you ought to add to your reaction list is the song, Key To The Highway, recorded live in the studio in 1970. It's a blues number that's has a nice groove that illuminates Clapton's prowess on guitar. Similar to this tune, it seems that he's about to finish up his lead, but then he kicks it into the next gear and blows everyone away with even better licks. It's simply amazing. For a period in the late 60s into the 70s, graffiti began to appear that said Clapton is God. Clapton laughed it off, but it gradually got into his mind. After all, that's one heck of an image to live up to. Cheers to your future reactions. Enjoy!

Jack Bruce the bass player was classically trained in Scotland at a young age. He and the drummer, Ginger Baker were arguably the most sought after Jazz and classical musicians of the early 60's era in Europe. Clapton hooked up with them with the thought that if he was going to showcase his virtuosity as a blues guitarist, he wanted seriously talented musicians around him. He got that and then some. Jack Bruce was a great vocalist and Ginger Baker brought virtuosity to the drums without limit. They made 4 to 5 albums in a two year period, caused the Beatles and Rolling Stones to rethink their approach to performing, but Clapton was somewhat insecure regarding which way to take his career as he got a pretty good heroine habit that took years to kick. No doubt though, Clapton and his group, Cream changed the marketplace of what people expected in the electric Rock evolution. If you want to take the time, go to KZfaq and watch their reunion concert of 1975 filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London. They were paid 15 Million dollars for 3 nights of sold out concerts and finally gave the public what they dreamed of, their greatest rock heroes back together before they got too old to perform. It was a great platform and the elder hippies of the 60's swarmed from the USA to be a part of this famous event. Jack Bruce was always the better singer than Clapton, but the fans worshiped Clapton's guitar solos. You gotta sit and watch the whole thing to appreciate. But, that's the business you are in, correct?

There's a really good video of Eric, John Lennon, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) appearing on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus in 1968. They called the group The Dirty Mac. You should check it out. They killed it.

cream Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce on bass, Ginger Baker on drums. Most of lead vocals for Cream were sang by Jack Bruce. Among Eric's credits is the lead guitar for the Beatles "While my Guitar Gently Weeps". Other good trakes from Cream are Badge, Sunshine of your Love, White Room. 😊 Have fun in the dive into Cream.

"Badge" is also great song by Cream to check out.

Three of the greatest musicians

Eric the love of my life😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

No fancy electronics, tube amps, pure sound!!!

Oh boy…..you have so much to hear and learn. I’m having fun watching you do these artists and tunes. But wow, you really didn’t know Clapton was in a band? More than one. Derek and the Dominoes, “Bell Bottom Blues” and “Layla”.

Classic Clapton, classic 3 piece volume. Love this. I remember listening to this album on my cousin's reel to reel machine, and was captivated by the guitar tone.

Cream was the first "Super group". Clapton, Jack Bruce on Bass and Ginger Baker on Drums.

The three greatest musicians to ever live!

When I was a teenager, I used to sneak into the living room early in the morning to listen to WZMF, the most awesome FM Station and tune the green "eye" on our big Curtis Mathis Console Stereo, being careful to keep the volume low and try to sit between the two big speaker and listen to Cream or anybody else they through at me before anyone got up.

They called themselves Cream without shyness. They knew they were the cream of the crop of London musicians. Check out their reunion concert in 2005. See them all as old men. but they still brought the house down.

One story is that Ginger Baker was the inspiration for Animal in the Muppets...

In the '60s/'70s, garage bands were everywhere. "Battle of the Bands" were prolific. Live music was in virtually every bar on weekends and hump day. It was analogous to sand lot baseball, little league, pony league, etc., producing the eventual big league baseball players. (I guess it would be soccer in Europe). I'm suddenly reminded of a song. "Nashville Cats".

Clapton was in a number of bands, in addition to his solo work. He also played with/for many very famous musicians. Eric got his start while the Brits were swapping bands and band members all over the place. His autobiography tells all of the things going behind the scenes.

probably the greatest guitar solos ever, they say the second solo was ground breaking and brought in modern blues

Check out the album 'John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton'. The cover of the album has Eric reading 'The Beano' on it.

Jack Bruce is playing his ass off in this. lol

that's a23 year old Eric knocking it out with 2 of the best musicians to ever grace a stage-his 2nd solo on this is off the scale good.

Heres a reaction 4 You. Was present to experience 'Cream 'LIVE' In 68' very up close . Jack Bruce was absolutely Phenomonal.. Together there was no band then or now that even come close . No, matter who You think is good now .Right -not impressive Now..I was in a Band then ,already playing Cream tunes .We walked to the venue and blew our Minds totally. There was nothing chaotic about Cream.They ,were a supremely structured Band that jammed out together in certain tunes .Jack ,pushed this Band off the Stage.. Youngsters TAKE NOTE PLEASE.

The man! 🎸

Two words “ Sweet Wine” studio version of Fresh Cream their 1st album . Incredible guitar solo .

Saw Cream in 68 at the Anaheim Convention Center. One of the best concerts I've ever been to. You should check out some of his guitar playinwith the Bluesbreakers. After Bluesbreakers and Cream he never had the same sound or intensity to me.

One of the best "jam sessions" ever 😀

You would have to consider that Clapton is one of the most important musicians in history. 😎

Cream was considered the first Super Group. This has one of my favorite guitar riffs

A great Eric Clapton story. He got so drunk at a show that he had to play it laying down and got a standing ovation. 😂

I am so blessed to have come up in the time of all this great music and musicians

The bass man, the bass😮😮😮

Clapton and others lead the blues based British invasion. A very early power trio with 3 lead players. Ginger Baker playing 4 rhythms at once. African polyrhythms. Another early great power trio leader was the Irish bluesman Rory Gallagher. Check out Rory with his '61 Strat on "Shinkicker", "Bullfrog Blues" or anything else. He said no the the Rolling Stones, when asked to join. Also check out Dave Davies guitar with the Kinks "All Day and All of the Night". I saw Clapton in Tacoma, WA. I saw Janis Joplin and Savoy Brown in '69 at Winterland. Thanks Sebs

This was Eric Clapton's 3rd band that he was a part of. His first band was The Yardbirds, followed by John Mayall's Blues Breakers, then Cream. When Eric left The Yardbirds he was replaced there by Jeff Beck and then Jimmy Page.

Sebs I think that Cream reunited for 3 night's concert event at Royal Albert Hall in 2005. All 3 are little older in 2005. Today, Eric is one living today as both Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce died few years ago. At 78 going to 79 next month, Eric hasn't slowed down yet.

Jack Bruce is incredible Scotland is extremely proud

Before there was Zeppelin we had Cream. Luckily LZ showed up after Cream left and filled the hole they were leaving. (Actually there were a still a few other blues rockers)

Sebs, yer in my wheelhouse now. Been a fan of Eric since I heard him in the Yard Birds, 1972. There are too many recommendations here, so I will watch as you explore him. Rock on.

Controlled chaos. Talent.

The first time I heard this version of "Crossroads", was on FM radio, in the early summer of 1968, while driving I-25 between Colorado Springs and Denver. As a guitar playing 18 year old, I was emotionally overwhelmed by this song, and Eric's soloing, to the point of tears in my eyes, and banging on the steering wheel, along with the beat. I'm 74 now, and everytime I hear this "Wheels of Fire" live version of Crossroads, to this day, I have to "crank it up"! I simply cannot listen to it, at "normal" volume, even now. Cheers! :D

Before you despair about where the three piece band has gone, remember Stevie Ray Vaughn and the two guys that never get any credit in reaction videos, Double Trouble. All that music at the El Mocambo came from 3 dudes and it was DECADES after this performance! The fading of real music is a Gen Z thing.

Check out the movie, “ The Last Waltz,” directed by Martin Scorsese. It is the last concert of the rock band, “The Band.” Eric Clapton is playing and his strap comes off Robbie Robertson jumps in the cover for Eric till he gets his strap fixed. Plus you will see an amazing lineup of artist.

Ginger Baker. Another fabulous drummer. YAY!!!!

The World's FIRST SUPERGROUP, taking Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, and Eric Clapton from other Bands and, aptly, becoming CREAM. Graffiti all around London in 1969/1970 "Clapton Is God" lol

The bass and drums are crazy good too.

The bassist, Jack Bruce is KILLING it....✌ The BPM must be 1180

Cream is the ultimate super group. 3 immortals all kicking ass all the time.

Best sounding version of this song on KZfaq I've heard. Bass, drums clear as bells, bellbottoms and most of us boomers. Three extraordinary musicians jamming. Eternal. 😊❤

You would enjoy listening to more of his music!

Check out The Beatles original version of Why My Guitar Gently Weeps. Eric Clapton plays the lead guitar on it. It's amazing. He also plays it in a tribute concert for George Harrison.

The biggest middle finger to an abusive Family I ever saw.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏The best Song.Wooooh! 💛

Cream were one of the greatest ever bands, their live performances absolutely spellbinding. I remember how traumatising it was for us Cream aficionados when they announced their decision to split up… noo! I took a cycle ride to 154 Braemar Avenue, Neasden a couple of years ago to see Ginger Baker’s home where Cream first played together - in his living room! It’s a modest little terraced house which I think was split into two maisonettes, Ginger’s one being on the ground floor. I was disappointed there was no blue plaque on the wall given the musical history made there… maybe it’ll happen one day!

You should check out Tom waits sometime. He is an artist unlike any other. You either will love him or hate him. His voice is like gravel wrapped in velvet. Amazing lyrics. I recommend “picture in a frame” or “all the world is green” for lyrics. “The Train Song” sounds like he is quite literally bleeding out his lyrics, truly amazing. If you just wanna listen to something crazy them I recommend “Underground” or “Raised right men”. Sorry for the rant lol 😂 I just love the dude, gotta be my favorite song artist

This shows just what 3 talents can achieve. Eric has been my "go back to" musician since the 80's no matter what I listen to. He is very generous on stage when joined by other artists allowing them to shine while holding a quietly dominant presence, remarkable. As a solo artist, a part of an ensemble or duet he can do it all. An unlikely duet with Luciano Pavarotti (Holy Mother), the force behind A Concert for George (Harrison) playing on While My Guitar Grntly Weeps and with Sheryl Crow are perticular highlights. You simply must see the chemistry, humour, respect and professionalism as David Sanborn steals the stage, Nathan East trundles through his bass lines, Gadd hammers the drums and Eric and Sheryl vocally intertwine...... kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n6uliauQlpzagps.htmlsi=xoeTe60YwdDg9TPr

Cream is the reason that Clapton merits real attention as an innovative guitarist.

So interesting to hear the new generations take . I saw Cream live in LA for 6.50 2nd level 3rd row back. Cream was an improvisational band. Check Out recording Live Cream I and II. They were like a rock symphony. Virtuoso's individually but very tight as a unit. Long amazing solos. They fed off each other but slways amazingly a tight return to theme to close the song. I still listen to this tune and am still amazed at Claptons lead/rhythm acco I mplishment here and the equally powerful backing of Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. RIP. It is musical history. Nothing like em' !!!

My older brother introduced me to Cream, and most of the popular bands of the 60’s. Moody Blues, Jefferson Airplane, Crosby Stills and Nash to name a few.

If I recall correctly, Eddie van Halen used to say Eric Clapton was his biggest influence when he was younger. He would always add "When he was in Cream of course... that's the Eric Clapton I'm talking about."

I saw him live about 12 years ago. He came out alone with a strat, played for 20 minutes leaving no doubt he is the greatest ever. Then the band came out for a full show.

Eric is a legend. Check out "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight."

I never heard a rock recording that feels more like jazz than this.

He has a guitar festival about every two years. Some of the best guitar players all in one place. Love it. Hope you check out the festival videos.

Baker and Bruce were at each other's throats most of the time over creative differences and other things. While Clapton mostly stayed to himself, and stayed above the fray. But there was a lot of personal tension, which was why they split up after a couple of years. But WHAT a couple of years!!

This may be hard for you to grasp, but the audio is from the Wheels of Fire album, rcorded live at the Fillmore in March 1968. The visual is from the Farewell concert at the Albert Hall in Nov 1968. The Fillmore recording is superior, but there was nothing wrong with the Albert Hall audio, I don't know why someone had to mess with it.

Long before Cream, Clapton played with John Mayall's Blues Breakers, and the Yardbirds--the latter being (arguably) the most influential band in history because not only did Clapton play with them, but so did Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, all of whom went on to be GIANTS in rock.

Ginger was the metronome! Jack was the classically music educated thumping bass player and Eric was the blues history Devotee. This is LIVE San Francisco 1968. Ps this is what a Gibson 335 can do in the hands of a master guitarist. If you want to see mastery of Amplification, check out Gary Moore, still in love with you! Pps love your youthful naivety. I was in Hyde Park for Blind Faith in June '69. Keep enjoying real music, love from Mr. Senior!

This song came out the year I was born. But my parents listened to old school country, so I didn't hear it until I was I'm college when i started listening to rock music.

My Dad was a huge fan of Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood so Blind Faith, Cream and their other music as solo artists was played all the time.

In 1968 music was real. Classically trained Jack Bruce - Cellist Glasgow conservatory -and Ginger Baker one of THE great rock/jazz/blues drummers. Nothing better EVER than Cream. Much of this improvised with Clapton and Bruce rivalling each other and Baker bringing it all on home

Love your comments Sebs. I've been to the legendary spot in Mississippi where Robert Johnson went. Bob Dylan refers to this spot, also. This rendition by Cream is smoking hot and set the rock music world on fire when it appeared. Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce just tear it up behind Clapton. Rock virtuosity at its finest.

Yeah, he not only had the heat, but his own fire extinguisher as well.

I was 16 when this was recorded. Back then, in order to be famous, you had to be able to play. I feel so sorry for today's young people when computer programmers are hailed as musicians but who cannot do it live. This is a Robert Johnson song who was revered by Clapton. Watch the Cream Reunion version from the Royal Albert Hall recorded before Jack Bruce died. There are thankfully young people today who have cottoned on to the fact that you need talent and practice and are really good.

Cream remains for me, the quintessential rock trio of that incredibly talented golden era. Only Eric remains.

Eric Clapton is still my favourite guitarist today 👏

Oh yeah, saw them in Baltimore in1968, jammed better than most.

Clapton was in two bands prior to Cream, The Yardbirds and John Mayall's Blues Breakers, both were well established bands.

Heard Clapton in his John Mayall days (and Peter Green who replaced him), I was at the final concert in London in '68. Good days.

Clapton was in: The Yardbirds, John Mayal's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Bonnie and Delaney, and Derek and the Dominos. He also played with the Beatles on a couple projects. (while my guitar gently weeps.....) He went solo in the mid 70s.