The lights dimmed gently—no fireworks, no spectacle. Just music, memory, and three men who helped carve rock’s soul: Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, and Ronnie Wood. As they launched into “White Room”, the crowd fell silent. It was more than a song—it was a salute. A farewell to Ginger Baker, the brilliant, wild drummer who once turned rhythm into revolution. Clapton sat focused, his playing still ablaze with fire. Waters lent the piece his trademark emotional gravity, while Wood’s guitar painted the pulse of rock’s golden era. No grand speeches were made. None were needed. Baker wasn’t physically there, but his presence pulsed in every beat, every riff, every pause

Introduction

Eric Clapton is the only surviving member of power trio Cream – Jack Bruce died back in 2014 and last year, the world mourned the loss of monster drummer Ginger Baker. For his first show in 2020, Clapton gathered an all-star band to pay tribute to Cream’s legendary sticksman and perform an array of Cream classic hits and Blind Faith tracks at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith in London on Sunday evening.

The roster included Roger Waters, Ron Wood, Nile Rodgers, Steve Winwood, and Paul Carrack.

Clapton and Waters kicked off the show with a cover of “Sunshine of Your Love.” Before launching into the song, Clapton told the crowd: “I called him Peter Edward. I think he’s here somewhere and he’ll be playing music for you tonight and we’re going to help him along. He was a scoundrel, but I loved him and he loved me and that was that. I saw some people get the rough edge of his tongue, but I never did and I feel blessed. That’s why I’m doing this. I miss him.”

The 15-song set featured “White Room” and “Strange Brew” played by Waters, “I Feel Free” by Rodgers and Carrack, and “Badge” by Wood and Henry Spinetti. Winwood powered through a couple of tunes – “Had to Cry Today,” “Presence of the Lord,” “Well All Right,” and “Can’t Find My Way Home.” The show then wrapped up with everyone performing “Crossroads.

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Lyrics

In a white room with black curtains in the station
Black roof country, no gold pavements, tired starlings
Silver horses ran down moonbeams in your dark eyes
Dawn light smiles on you leaving, my contentment
I’ll wait in this place where the sun never shines
Wait in this place where the shadows run from themselves
You said no strings could secure you at the station
Platform ticket, restless diesels, goodbye windows
I walked into, such a sad time, at the station
As I walked out, felt my own need, just beginning
I’ll wait in the queue when the trains come back
Lie with you where the shadows run from themselves
At the party, she was kindness in the hard crowd
Consolation for the old wound now forgotten
Yellow tigers crouched in jungles in her dark eyes
She’s just dressing, goodbye windows, tired starlings
I’ll sleep in this place with the lo-onely crowd
Lie in the dark where the shadows run from themselves