If you're too young to know who Cream is, wikipedia will tell you. I recall going to see them in Minneapolis in their heyday. Oddly enough, they played in a small venue and the size of the crowd may be why Jack Bruce refused to play at all. Now a trio without bass can be a pitiful thing. In fact, Bruce, who I imagine thought he was the leader and most talented of the band at the time, probably thought his not playing killed the gig. Not true.

You know how your grandma said "if life throws you a lemon, make lemonade"? Well, that's what exactly Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker did. They got up and played jammed for at least 45 minutes. I'm pretty sure Clapton wasn't singing at all in those days, but he was inventive enough to pour out some amazing shit and Ginger was able to dance around it on the drums. I don't doubt that what was played on the stage was more exciting than Bruce's somewhat generous version of himself.

Clapton and Baker didn't just shove it because Mr. Bruce refused to play, they took responsibility and got up there. There is a dearth of souls out there in this day and age who'll do that, and a glut of those who are always blaming others for what happens in their lives.