Excerpt From Blind Faith, 1969

“Like that other invention of the decade, ‘supermodels’, 1960s-rock ‘supegroups’ tended to have short shelf lives.”

So said Gene Sculatti about [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Blind Faith[/lastfm] in his book, 100 Best-Selling Albums of the ’60s. The band that teamed [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Cream[/lastfm]‘s [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Eric Clapton[/lastfm] and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Ginger Baker[/lastfm] with [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Rick Grech[/lastfm] and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Traffic[/lastfm]‘s [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Steve Winwood[/lastfm] would last less than a year. But their one album — made controversial by the UK cover art of a pre-teen girl and a phallic-looking airplane (which wouldn’t see release in the US) — was a big seller and has had a lasting influence long past its freshness date.

Most notable were Winwood’s legendary “Can’t Find My Way Home” and Clapton’s “Presence of the Lord,” along with Cream-y Winwood cut, “Sea of Joy.” Sculatti criticizes “Do What You Like” as self-indulgent, but what else can be said about a 15-minute song of solos?

What’s left of the album’s six cuts — as short a program as was the life of the band — is simply “OK”: [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Buddy Holly[/lastfm]‘s “Well All Right” has enjoyed better readings and Winwood’s “Had to Cry Today” sounds like a Traffic leftover. When all is said and done, the cover controversy is slightly more interesting than the music.

Cover of the US Release of Blind Faith (RSO, 1969)

In spite of its flaws, Blind Faith’s personnel sold itself, the album going Gold within months and hitting Platinum in the early ’90s.

A somewhat rare live version of “Can’t Find My Way Home” from 1969.

What was hot almost half-a-century ago? Find out with more Best Sellers from the ’60s here…