The very “first” prog band, according to Neil Peart

Neil Peart said Cream could be considered the first progressive rock band, crediting the trio with breaking away from the constraints of pop. Their approach helped lay the groundwork for the genre that Rush would later develop, making Cream an important link between blues-based rock and prog.

Peart singled out Ginger Baker’s drumming, including what he described as rock’s first drum solo, as a formative influence on him as a teenager. Cream blended blues, jazz and hard rock, and often expanded songs into long instrumental passages where the musicians could improvise. Peart saw that openness to different styles as something Rush carried forward.