Cream Reunite!

Of all the splintered bands in rock history, there seem to be a select few that, despite fan frenzy, the potential to make oodles of cash, and the icy hand of death, are destined to steer clear of a reunion. Obvious choices like The Police and Led Zeppelin quickly come to mind... but look closely at most classic rock disciples' wishlists and you'll also find Cream, the 60's supergroup once comprised of legends Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker.

While the band was originally together for a scant two years, it amassed a huge following for their thunderous blues/psych-rock fusion in both their native England and the States, a rare feat for a UK group whose name wasn't the Beatles or The Rolling Stones. Despite being at the height of their popularity, Cream broke up in 1968, succumbing to, yes, creative differences. Due in part to his friendship with George Harrison (who helped pen the guitar god's first undisputed classic, "Badge") and layovers at Bob Dylan and The Band's Woodstock compound "Big Pink," Clapton has been famously noted for wanting to part ways with the less-than-subtle band and explore more traditional rock. In a potentially inspired recent turn of events, however, it seems that Clapton, Baker, and Bruce will once again join forces.

After years of varying interest from the three original members, Billboard is now reporting that the trio will soon be burying their collective hatchets and reuniting for a series of live dates in 2005. According to the report, Cream will officially reconvene early next year for rehearsals. A rumored weeklong series of shows will then be held sometime thereafter at London's Royal Albert Hall, which was the venue for the group's original set of "farewell shows" in '68. If all goes well, this will mark the first time the musicians have performed under the Cream moniker since they took the stage briefly in 1993 for a notoriously underwhelming run through a handful of songs following their induction at that year's Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame ceremony.

No word yet as to when in 2005 we can expect the legendary reunion, but there is, of course, already speculation as to about a possible world tour following the initial gigs. In related news, Cream's breakthrough second album Disraeli Gears saw a recent 2-disc "Deluxe Edition" re-issue this past September. The expanded album includes a massive 40 tracks, including stereo and mono versions of the final album, as well as several demos and a number of performances taken from three BBC sessions held between '67 and '68.