The cream of the many astoundingly great supergroups formed in the 1960s

by

As a seasoned music enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of rock and roll history, I find myself captivated by the story of these iconic bands – Form 1969 and Ginger Baker’s Airforce.

The formation of supergroups truly took off during the 1960s music scene. However, the landscape might have looked quite different if a 1950s jamming session had progressed to yield more albums and performances.

The Million Dollar Quartet refers to an impromptu studio gathering in Memphis back in 1956 that brought together Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. Although the recording wasn’t released until the 1980s, and the term “supergroup” might be a bit of an exaggeration, it certainly was a gathering of some truly remarkable musicians as the name suggests.

As a music enthusiast who has been following the evolution of rock ‘n’ roll since the ’60s, I can confidently define what a supergroup is, based on my personal observations and experiences. A supergroup, in essence, is a band consisting of exceptionally talented musicians who have previously achieved success as solo artists or with their respective bands. These musical powerhouses come together to create something extraordinary, often resulting in the release of at least one album and embarking on a tour. In my lifetime, I’ve witnessed some truly awe-inspiring supergroups such as Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Traveling Wilburys, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, to name a few. These groups not only showcased their individual talents but also produced an amazing chemistry that elevated the music to new heights. In my humble opinion, a supergroup is a unique blend of artistic brilliance and musical camaraderie, creating a harmonious fusion of sounds that transcends the ordinary and takes listeners on a journey they will never forget.

Supergroups of the 1960s

As a longtime music enthusiast, I find it fascinating to delve into the history of some of the most iconic bands and musicians in the industry. In this particular instance, I’m drawn to the enigmatic group known as The Powerhouse, formed by Eric Clapton along with Steve Winwood, Jack Bruce, and Paul Jones from Manfred Mann back in 1966. While their existence was brief, their impact on the music scene is undeniable.

Three out of the four often graced the stage in iconic supergroups from the ’60s. Clapton, Winwood, and Bruce were part of an impressive lineage of musicians who frequently teamed up with other top-tier artists to create awe-inspiring collaborations. Let’s delve into Cream, one of the pioneering supergroups, and explore how it paved the way for others that came after. I’ll touch on more remarkable supergroups from the ’60s in an upcoming article shortly.

Cream the 1960s supergroup that led to several more

The band known as Cream, which produced exceptional music by all accounts, emerged from an innovative concept shared between Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker. At that time, both musicians were seeking fresh opportunities. After making a name for himself as a premier guitarist with the Yardbirds and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Clapton was ready to explore new territories. Meanwhile, Baker was already itching to leave the Graham Bond Organization to embark on a new journey.

The unexpected moment arrived when Clapton proposed Jack Bruce, who was simultaneously part of the Graham Bond Organisation, to Baker as their bassist. Previously, Bruce and Baker had harbored animosity towards each other, even exchanging blows during performances. Nevertheless, Clapton and Bruce had occasionally collaborated in the past, and they believed that their past disagreements wouldn’t hinder their potential synergy as a duo.

Continued on next slide

Four super Cream albums before it was time to move on

Combining Bruce and Baker once more was both brilliant and problematic. Bruce held significant importance in Cream, serving as their primary composer and vocalist. The band often revisited classic blues numbers, yet Baker penned a few originals, with Clapton adding some that later became iconic. He co-authored “Badge” (with George Harrison receiving shared credit) and “Strange Brew”, while working alongside Bruce and Pete Brown for the creation of “Sunshine Of Your Love”.

In July 1966, the band Cream started their initial performances, and they played their final shows, including a pair of goodbyes at the Royal Albert Hall in London during November 1968. At that point, they had already decided to disband and had recorded their last album titled “Goodbye,” which was released in 1969. Although their active period was brief, spanning just two years, they managed to release three albums—”Fresh Cream,” “Disraeli Gears,” and “Wheels Of Fire”—before their final release, demonstrating a remarkable level of productivity.

The primary reason for their split was not solely due to the mismatch between Baker and Bruce, although it did contribute significantly. Their frequent musical disagreements and mutual antagonism were more exciting factors. An additional issue was that their onstage feud during a performance, in which they both tried to outdo each other, went unnoticed by Clapton when he momentarily stopped playing.

They successfully decided to disband, perform a farewell concert series, and release their final album. It’s intriguing to ponder what direction Cream might have taken as a band if they hadn’t parted ways. However, we wouldn’t have been blessed with a few other legendary supergroups and the music they created had they remained together.

In 2005, the collective genius of Baker, Clapton, and Bruce was rekindled when they reunited for a sequence of concerts at both the Royal Albert Hall in London and Madison Square Garden. You can listen to their performance on the live album titled “Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-5-6, 2005“.

Continued on next slide

Blind Faith

Leaving Cream behind, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, and I had sworn off duos, preferring to form groups of three or more. However, the allure of music proved too strong for Clapton and Steve Winwood, who had a history together from their time in Powerhouse. Winwood was with the Spencer Davis Group before moving on to Traffic, and Baker joined them in the studio. Despite my initial hesitations, Winwood’s enthusiasm convinced me to start a new band with him and Baker. As a gamer, I can relate this to the bond between teammates who decide to form a new guild or alliance after parting ways from their previous group, drawn together by a shared passion for the game.

The beginning marked the formation of Blind Faith, which included guitarist Ric Grech, who had previously played with Family, joining the group later on. This quartet created quite a buzz due to their supergroup status. Their single album, titled Blind Faith, quickly became popular, selling approximately half a million copies in its first month and eventually earning platinum status. Upon its release in July 1969, it reached the top of both the UK and US charts.

The band kicked off their summer tour with their initial live performance before a bustling audience in Hyde Park, London. An estimated 100,000 individuals witnessed their stage debut. However, there was an issue at the outset: despite their impressive musical skills, they had limited time to create new material. Their album only spanned around 40 minutes and it featured a cover of Buddy Holly’s song. A live performance requires more to keep the crowd engaged, so they incorporated some classic blues tunes, including those from Cream and Winwood’s Traffic, to beef up their playlist.

As a dedicated gamer, I must admit that the latest release kept fans like me thrilled, but it wasn’t quite Eric Clapton’s cup of tea. Seemingly recognizing this wasn’t his jam, he gradually moved on. He was immersed in Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, a precursor to his iconic 1970 supergroup Derek And The Dominoes. Blind Faith, unfortunately, disintegrated following their single tour, but they left an indelible mark. Give a spin to two enduring classics from their album that still hold up today: “Can’t Find My Way Home” and “Presence of the Lord”.

Continued on next slide

Ginger Baker’s Airforce

As Eric Clapton ventured into Delaney, Bonnie, Derek, and Layla, Ginger Baker was focusing on recruitment. He established Ginger Baker’s Air Force in 1969, following Blind Faith, with Grech and Winwood joining as well. Denny Laine from the Moody Blues was a significant addition before he later teamed up with Paul McCartney and Wings. This ensemble leaned more towards jazz-rock, as indicated by the extensive roster of musicians and vocalists who joined. Notable among these were Graham Bond on saxophone, whom Baker had previously played with in Bond’s band prior to forming Cream.

Established in 1969, they achieved their greatest success and released their primary works in 1970 with two albums: “Ginger Baker’s Air Force” and “Ginger Baker’s Air Force 2”. Interestingly, their debut album, a live recording, was their first release in March 1970. Remarkably, this album captured their second performance, which took place at the Royal Albert Hall in January 1970.

The album garnered both positive and negative reviews. While some appreciated the sound clarity and blending of musical genres, others criticized the audio quality and the abundance of instrumental solos, particularly the drums. Given that it was a jazz-rock band with a hint of blues, led by a drummer, such feedback is understandable and likely reflected the live performance well. A notable comment described it as an essential purchase for fans of jazz-rock, Afro-fusion, blues-rock, or percussion music.

The second album titled “Ginger Baker’s Air Force 2” was released in December of 1970, following studio sessions held in May and October. Although the lineup underwent minor adjustments, it remained quite extensive. Winwood had shifted focus to record a solo album, later rejoining Traffic. Laine and Grech were included on the album, but were credited as ‘additional personnel’ rather than official band members.

By the time the album was released, the situation had shifted unfavorably for Baker and his Airforce. The connection between Cream and Blind Faith weakened, as music evolved into different genres and forms, causing fans to redirect their spending. A planned tour failed and was prematurely ended due to poor ticket sales. Maintaining such an expansive band without income from album, single, or tour sales proved unaffordable. This marked the demise of this endeavor by Baker, although he briefly revived the Airforce in 2015.

Read More

2024-08-09 13:01