In the eyes of their audience, the three musicians in Cream represented the best players of their respective instruments—the "cream" of British rock musicianship, as it were. The blues-rock trio came together in 1966. Already, Clapton had attained recognition as Britain's preeminent guitarist as a result of his tenure with the Yardbirds and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker boasted an impressive pedigree as well, having been the rhythm section for the Graham Bond Organization, a blues-jazz band fronted by organist-singer Bond.