Why One of Eric Clapton’s Most Famous Supergroups Fell Apart in the Late 1960s
Eric Clapton's late-1960s supergroup Cream disbanded in 1968 after just two years together, undone by a bitter, longstanding feud between bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker. The band, also featuring Clapton, was celebrated as one of the era's most influential trios, effectively pioneering the "power trio" format and leaving a significant mark on rock music despite its short lifespan.
Formed in the mid-1960s by three musicians already well known on London's blues scene, Cream released four albums before splitting. Bruce and Baker's animosity reportedly predated the band's formation and proved impossible to resolve, leaving Clapton caught in the middle and worn down by the ongoing tension. Although the trio reunited briefly on a few later occasions, the infighting remained a defining part of their legacy, while Clapton went on to further success in other bands and as a solo artist.
- Cream split in 1968 after just two years together
- Cause was a bitter feud between Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker
- Band released four albums and later reunited briefly a few times