Eric Clapton: The Unexpected Pop Influence Behind Cream’s Sound
Eric Clapton’s journey too forming Cream is often linked to his admiration for blues icon Buddy Guy, whose electrifying performance with a power trio in London left a lasting impression on him. However, a surprising influence emerged from across the ocean that significantly shaped the band’s songwriting approach.
Reflecting on the band’s formation, Clapton shared in a 1998 conversation with Bob Mills, ”When Pet Sounds was released, it became a major source of inspiration for our songwriting.” This revelation highlights the unexpected ways in which pop music can intertwine with rock and blues.
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Released in 1966, Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, under the creative direction of Brian Wilson, represented a stark contrast to the British blues scene. Its intricate harmonies and elaborate pop arrangements captivated Clapton and his bandmates.
“We were entirely baffled by it,” Clapton recalled with a chuckle. ”But we couldn’t stop listening to that album.”
Clapton’s admiration for the Beach Boys began even earlier.While performing with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in the mid-60s, he was struck by the sound of one of their tracks playing in the venue. The song ”I Get Around” nearly prompted him to leave Mayall’s band.
“I was at a gig with John Mayall when a DJ played it,” Clapton reminisced. “At that moment, I thought, ‘That’s it for me,’ because my instinct was always to quit.”
This pivotal moment occurred during a challenging phase in Clapton’s career.After a disappointing tenure with the Yardbirds, he contemplated stepping away from music before joining Mayall’s Bluesbreakers in 1965. His time with the band solidified his reputation as a leading blues guitarist and popularized the Gibson Les Paul Standard as a quintessential blues instrument.
however, Clapton’s aspirations soon evolved. After witnessing Buddy Guy’s performance at London’s Marquee Club, he envisioned a new musical direction.
“That experience told me, ‘This is achievable,’” he reflected years later. “It felt so liberating – the possibilities were endless.”
In 1966, Clapton joined forces with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer ginger Baker to form Cream. While their dynamic blues improvisation became a hallmark of their sound, the band’s ambitions extended far beyond customary blues.
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According to Bruce, the band’s diverse musical vision sometimes conflicted with Clapton’s initial intentions.
“Eric envisioned a small blues trio, akin to Buddy Guy,” Bruce later remarked.”Our perspectives were quite diffrent.”
These differing visions propelled Cream toward a more vibrant and experimental sound than what a conventional blues band might offer. This evolution was recognized by contemporaries like Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, who acknowledged Cream as a precursor to the progressive rock movement.
While Cream’s music often ventured into a more colorful realm than traditional blues, Clapton’s own admission reveals an unexpected source of inspiration: the meticulously crafted pop of Brian Wilson.
