You`re welcome, 12bar !
From pop and rock, I was guided towards the blues by Cream, too, and The Allman Brothers. In fact, I still prefer modern elec blues with lots of excessive guitar playing. With the exception of Howlin`Wolf, I often find some of those earlier pioneers you mention a little too tame, a little too focused on lyrics... always open to fresh recommendations though !
BTW, did you notice that you can read some tips, and introduce yourself to the forum here :-
Introductions - Music Banter