Feb. 8, 1969: Blind Faith Gets Together For The First Time

After the breakup of Cream, Eric Clapton was looking for some musical space and less volume after playing on '11' for two years with his famous bandmates Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.  He headed up to Steve Winwood's country home to do some friendly jamming and, perhaps, put together an album of lighter tunes or even a small band. At the time, Winwood, the wunderkind of the band Traffic, was on sabbatical from his group after sparring regularly with on-again, off-again guitarist Dave Mason.  The singer, keyboardist and guitarist had time to spare and a similar desire to work with someone new.  The duo was writing songs and playing in the living room when Ginger Baker noisily bashed on the door one day (he was a drummer, after all), demanding that he be a part of whatever they were conspiring.  Reluctantly, Baker was allowed to stay; not because his considerable talents were ever in doubt, but because his presence would change the entire complexion of the project.  With two/thirds the lineup of Cream in this new project, legions of the band's fans latched onto the promise of a "Mark 2" version of the group!  

And with their course set, for better or for worse, Winwood, Clapton, and Baker drafted bassist/violinist Rick Grech from the successful England band Family and made their way to London on this day to jam and work out the songs that would become the group's first and only album.  As a cynical comment on their superstar status before anyone had even heard a note, the band called itself Blind Faith.  The eventual album had a hit: "Can't Find My Way Home" and a Cream-like jam entitled "Do What You Like," but in the end, the record content was a bit lean and Clapton quickly grew bored of his new project.  After one show in England (a massive festival in Hyde Park) and a brief U.S. tour, Blind Faith threw in the towel.           

(Photo by Getty Images)


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