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The 1968 album Alex Lifeson played “a million times over”
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has identified Cream’s 1968 album *Wheels of Fire* as a record he played “a million times over” while learning his craft. The article presents the album as a formative influence on Lifeson’s musical development, particularly through Eric Clapton’s guitar work and the band’s blend of blues, rock and improvisation.
Released as a double album, *Wheels of Fire* combined studio recordings with live performances and included songs such as ‘White Room’ and ‘Crossroads’. Lifeson said he was especially drawn to Clapton’s playing, with Cream’s musicianship helping shape his early understanding of guitar-led rock before Rush emerged in the 1970s.
In short
- Alex Lifeson repeatedly listened to Cream’s *Wheels of Fire*.
- Eric Clapton’s guitar playing was a key influence.
- The 1968 double album helped shape Lifeson’s early musical tastes.
Explained simply
Cream were a British rock trio formed in the 1960s, featuring guitarist Eric Clapton, bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker. Their music brought blues influences together with loud rock and extended improvisation, helping establish the power-trio format, in which a small band gives each player room to shape the sound.
Wheels of Fire, released in 1968, was a double album split between studio recordings and live performances. It includes ‘White Room’ and a live version of Robert Johnson’s ‘Crossroads’, and shows the mix of arranged songs and improvisation that attracted many guitarists.
Alex Lifeson later became the guitarist in Canadian band Rush, which emerged in the 1970s. His early listening to Cream helps explain some of the musical influences he brought to his own development as a rock guitarist.