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20 Years Ago Today: Cream Reunion Kicks Off At Royal Albert Hall
2 May 25
Twenty years ago, on May 2, 2005, Cream—one of rock’s most influential bands—reunited for the first of four landmark concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The shows were officially announced by Eric Clapton on BBC Radio 2’s Johnnie Walker Show on December 17, 2004, following weeks of speculation.
The Royal Albert Hall was a fitting location because it was the site of Cream’s final performance on November 26, 1968. Their return to that iconic stage nearly four decades later wasn’t just a concert; it was a powerful, full-circle moment in the story of a legendary band.
Formed in 1966 after Eric left John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream brought together Ginger Baker on drums and Jack Bruce on bass and vocals with Eric on guitar and vocals. Though the band was together for only two years, their impact on music was profound. Cream released four groundbreaking albums—Fresh Cream (1966), Disraeli Gears (1967), Wheels of Fire (1968), and Goodbye (1969)—that helped define the sound of the late 1960s. Both Ginger and Jack have since passed, but their legacy lives on in the music that continues to inspire generations.
On stage, Cream wasn’t interested in simply recreating hits. Their concerts were bold, exploratory, and built around electrified blues and extended improvisation, setting a new standard for live rock performance. Their final show in 1968 at the Royal Albert Hall, captured in the documentary Farewell Cream, remains essential viewing for generations of fans. Over the decades, musicians across genres have cited Cream as a powerful influence on their own sound and the development of hard rock.
Before 2005, Cream had reunited only once—a brief, three-song performance at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in January 1993 in Los Angeles.
Twelve years after their Rock Hall induction and 37 years after their “farewell” concert, fans from around the globe packed the Royal Albert Hall for the chance to see the trio onstage once more. Demand for tickets was overwhelming, with all four nights selling out within minutes of going on sale. The media response was equally intense, with the reunion dominating headlines in music publications and mainstream outlets alike.
The set list—identical across all four performances—spanned the band’s catalogue and struck a balance between fan favorites, deep cuts, and blues standards. The shows delivered powerful, emotionally charged moments that resonated with both the band and the audience. It was more than a concert—it was a celebration of musical legacy and the timeless chemistry that defined Cream.
The performances were filmed and recorded, with audio and video releases following in October 2005. Over the past 20 years, the concert film has become essential viewing for fans and rock historians alike — not only as a powerful record of Cream’s musical chemistry and triumphant return, but also as a fitting bookend to the documentary Farewell Cream, captured at the same venue in 1968.
But for those who were there, no recording could truly capture the energy in the room. Here’s what fans shared with Where’s Eric! at the time:
“Eric has never played better … ever. Jack’s voice is as strong and spine-tingling as it ever was. If Eric is God then Jack is God’s voice. Ginger was a monster, merrily throwing out his signature fills and rolls with the loose-precision that is his trademark and providing the perfect bed and counterpoints to Jack and Eric’s playing….The love and respect they have for their own music poured out with each note and from the huge smiles they gave each other and audience throughout the show. The tremendous musical chemistry they had nearly four decades ago was never more evident and was only enhanced by the chops and experience they’ve gained in the intervening years.” – Ken Clagett
“Just one word sums it up – awesome! Probably the best night of my life. Eric, Jack and Ginger were on fine form, and truly seemed to enjoy every minute – as did the audience. It was worth the wait – I last saw Cream on 23rd May and 28th November 1967, both times at the Marquee, and the magic is still there. I’ve seen Eric play many many times, but this was something else. My son, his girlfriend, and my daughter, who were with me tonight now understand my 39 year obsession with Cream. The legend lives on.” – Ann Crick
“They were different to 1968. No massive Marshall stacks, no free-form improvisations, no Gibson guitars, no ringing ears afterwards. Did it detract? Not at all! This was older and wiser Cream. The sound was vastly better and the playing just as good. Every song was at least very good and there were a lot of highlights. Spoonful, Sleepy Time Time, NSU, Badge, Sweet Wine, Crossroads and White Room were excellent. Better still were They Call It Stormy Monday, Sitting On Top Of The World and Toad (down to about 7 minutes) and an extended We’re Going Wrong was awesome! There are few concerts with so many highs.” – Nick Kernoghan
“Tight but time-limited versions of NSU, Sweet Wine, Sleepy Time Time and Deserted Cities of the Heart brought back memories of being in the barracks overseas in ‘68-‘69 for me. The back of the stage featured a computer driven fluorescent multi-colored psychedelic light show on a twelve-foot high “cinemascope” screen that curved and ran the length of the stage. They even managed an amoeba effect that channeled the Fillmore.” – John P. Farris
“Different night, same set list [for night two], but to this non-musician there seemed more fluidity. The first night under their belts (and what a reception they got!) they seemed to relax more together and start to ‘ping’ together more. I thought Rollin’ and Tumblin’ was the standout on Monday, but it was more difficult to choose on Tuesday – Rollin’, Stormy Monday, Deserted Cities, White Room, Toad, Sunshine? They seemed to sustain a higher level.” – Phil Bunce
“Eric’s work on Stormy Monday was as great a solo as will hear. The crowd gave an ovation during the solo when Eric hit a protracted note as only he can. It tingled the spine. This concert was better than night one and certainly as good a concert as I have witnessed.” – Joe Sowinski
“I have been privileged to see many great concerts in my time…from The Beatles in 65….Cream in 67….Jack Bruce with Tony Williams in Lifetime and many more over the years, including Eric Clapton at every incarnation of his solo career. However, nothing I can remember could match the emotion, passion and intense joy of this show. The final night of the week lived up to expectations and beyond.” – Stephen Taylor
“I was there on the second night with my wife. We came down from Scotland to see this reunion and were not disappointed. It was an emotional night for me to see and hear the three legends play together.” – Norrie Fleming
What can I say? We had the pleasure to watch three of the world’s greatest musicians have a great time together. They seemed loose and, while not perfect, sounded wonderful. Who can expect perfection since they hadn’t toured for over 35 years and matured in different directions since? My concern going in was they would sound thin since they had no one filling in on piano, background guitar, etc. but my fears were unfounded. They did an excellent job covering the parts and sounded much better than many previous live recordings. Jack looked great and played great. Ginger, after working to loosen his right arm after about the third through sixth songs, hit his stride. Eric was, of course, Eric. Fantastic. But so were Jack and Ginger. – Eric Torrison
WANT TO SHARE YOUR MEMORIES OF THE CREAM REUNION?
Head over to the Where’s Eric! Facebook page and find the “CREAM…20 YEARS AGO TODAY” post. Drop your stories in the comments—and don’t forget to follow Where’s Eric! while you’re there!
Cream Set List – Royal Albert Hall, May 2, 3, 5 & 6, 2005
01. I’m So Glad
02. Spoonful
03. Outside Woman Blues
04. Pressed Rat and Wart Hog
05. Sleepy Time Time
06. NSU
07. Badge
08. Politician
09. Sweet Wine
10. Rollin’ & Tumblin’
11. Stormy Monday
12. Deserted Cities of the Heart
13. Born Under a Bad Sign
14. We’re Going Wrong
15. Crossroads
16. Sitting on Top of the World
17. White Room
18. Toad
19. Sunshine of Your Love (Encore)