Fifteen Years since Cream's Royal Albert Hall Residency

Some bands have their times and usually don't come back, but in May of '05, Cream reunited for a four-night residency at the Royal Albert Hall.


All About E.C.'s Generousity:

 While Clapton had been closed to a reunion, he broke out of his refusals in 2005 saying that health was a big factor. Two years before, bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce had udergone a liver transplant, which had led to him nearly losing his life. Furthermore, drummer Ginger Baker had recently developed arthritis.

The Shows

 Why the Royal Albert Hall? It was the last venue Cream had played their last shows back in 1968. The shows took place on May 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th - with only a break on the 4th.

Most spectacular, folks, were the number of celebrities in attendance. Members that attended included former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Bill Wymann and Mick Taylor of the Stones, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Queen's Brian May, and even Clapton's and Baker's former bandmate, Steve Winwood of Blind Faith.

Two other extraordinary things folks. All four shows sold out within about an hour, and this also marks the first time the band performed Pressed Rat and Wartog, and Badge, from their last LP, 1969's Goodbye, live.

It's on CD and DVD
A psychedelic-style line drawing of the members of Cream (from left to right: Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, and Jack Bruce), circa the late 1960s. The band members are pink with yellow and red highlights and the logo of the band and album name are red on a blue background. The autograph of artist John Van Hamersveld is in the lower right corner.
The shows were issued as a double album and double DVD in 2006. Interestingly, there are no performances from May 2nd; however, there is a short scene in which Clapton addresses the crowd, but no actual song performances from the first night.

The DVDs also feature alternate versions of Sleepy Time, Time, We're Going Wrong, and Sunshine of Your Love, as well as interviews with the power trio.

Aftermath

 After the success of the Albert Hall shows, Cream elected to perform three nights on the other side of the pond, at NYC's Madison Square Gardens. However, the shows were not as well-attended or as spectacular as the reunions from several months earlier and by November, the band split again.

Cream were also planning on performing for the Ahmet Entregiin tribute concert, but aborted after hearing that the show was moved to London's 02 Arena, and that it had become too commercial.

In the spring of '06, Clapton announced that Cream were no more. He stated that he wanted to spend more time with his kids. Nevertheless, Clapton still performs Cream songs as part of his concert setlists.

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