Cream was rock's first supergroup, blending blues with psychedelia for a brawny sound that helped usher in hard rock and heavy metal. Guitar hero Eric Clapton was fresh from stints with The Yardbirds and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers; drummer Ginger Baker had worked with the Graham Bond Organisation, and bassist Jack Bruce was another Bond/Mayall alumnus. Besides their own heavy-riffing tunes, the band crafted modern versions of classic blues songs, led by Clapton's blistering guitar work and Bruce's belting voice. Cream cut four albums in just over two years before splitting up in 1968.