Cream bassist Jack Bruce dies, aged 71

Jack Bruce, bassist from 1960s band Cream, has died aged 71, his publicist confirms.

Legendary supergroup Cream, which also included Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, are now considered one of the most important bands in rock history.

They sold 35 million albums in just over two years and were given the first ever platinum disc for Wheels of Fire.

Bruce wrote and sang most of the songs, including "I Feel Free" and "Sunshine Of Your Love".

Born in the Glasgow suburb of Bishopbriggs in 1943, his parents travelled extensively in Canada and the USA and the young Jack attended 14 different schools.

He finished his formal education at Bellahouston Academy and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, to which he won a scholarship for cello and composition.

Read More: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-29772926

-- BBC 2014-10-26

Thanks for the memories Jack...

RIP Jack thanks for the music and the memories.

Second that, a truly great British musician. There is a track on youtube of him playing with Rory Gallagher worth watching.

Read in a UK obit that when in the early days of 'Cream', Clapton was described as just the guitarist.

And I third that, I've great memories of Jack Bruce and co. at The Marquee and also of Gallager and Bruce in the Taste days in Belfast, magical music, RIP Jack and thanks.

RIP.

Indeed, one of the greatest rock bands in history, featuring one of the world's best guitarists, who sadly went mainstream too early, and a great drummer, Ginger Baker who turned to jazz in the 90s and I got to meet.

Jack Bruce never got the celebrity acknowledgement that Clapton got, but deserved it.

I did not like the band when they were popular, but have to admit that "Sunshine Of Your Love". sounds good when I hear it now.

RIP Jack. A huge inspiration to all bassists. Although most people only know him from Cream, he continued to gig up until his death. I particularly like his work with Gary Moore and Robin Trower.

Another hero passes on, leaving an enviable legacy. RIP, Jack. Oh the memories of those years.

Sad, sad news but what an inspirational bass player, I always enjoyed his singing too.That rock band in the sky will be getting damn hot by no what with Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Alvin Lee and Gary Moore all up there.

R.I.P Jack Bruce

RIP Jack Bruce.

Cream and White Room was a part of my drunken stoned early teenage years. Awesome music in a privileged time where musicians were exactly that and as Queen knew before video killed the radio star.

Jack Bruce, Cream bassist, dies at 71

London- Jack Bruce, the bassist of the 1960s British rock group Cream, died Saturday at the age of 71, his family said.

He, guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker sold 35 million records in little more than two years as Cream and had such hits as I Feel Free, Sunshine of Your Love, White Room and Crossroads.

The cause of Bruce’s death was liver disease, the Press Association reported.

"The world of music will be a poorer place without him, but he lives on in his music and forever in our hearts," his family said on Bruce’s official website.

Blues-influenced Cream was considered to have been rock’s first "supergroup." It disbanded at the height of its success in November 1968.

The Scotland-born multi-instrumentalist then launched a solo career and released more than a dozen albums. The final one, Silver Rails, came out in March.

Cream’s 1968 Wheels of Fire earned the world’s first-ever platinum disc for a double album. In 2003, it was voted number 203 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Cream was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Jack-Bruce-Cream-bassist-dies-at-71-30246264.html

-- The Nation 2014-10-26

Jack will be remembered mainly for his fiery bass playing in Cream, but he was also a superb blues singer, arguably the best white blues singer of the 60s/70s blues/rock bands.

RIP Jack and many thanks for the thrills you gave to us through the years.

Farewell Jack.

Thank you.

Edited October 26, 201411 yr by jod

The most beautiful voice in rock music, and a superb songwriter - the soul of a poet in an unsubtle business.

In the 1970s Cream played in Miami Florida, I was working for the lighting company Cosmic Lighting and ran the main spot light, wonderful gig!

Edited October 26, 201411 yr by metisdead
Bold font removed again. Please stop using bold font when posting.

Second that, a truly great British musician. There is a track on youtube of him playing with Rory Gallagher worth watching.

Read in a UK obit that when in the early days of 'Cream', Clapton was described as just the guitarist.

Yeah... Politician... I prefer it over the original version.

Gone to that great 'white room' in the sky. Dynamite on bass....good one Jack...RIP!

Thanks Jack. RIP.

In the 1970s Cream played in Miami Florida, I was working for the lighting company Cosmic Lighting and ran the main spot light, wonderful gig!

You sure it was Cream? The band broke up in 1968 and didn't perform together again until 1993.

A true rock legend, RIP.

Thanks for the music Jack....

RIP

Thank you for the music.

No one brought a Gibson EB-3 bass to life better than Jack Bruce. I fondly remember watching the band receive their platinum records on stage from Robert Stigwood at New York's Madison Square Garden back in Novemeber 1968. $6.50 for a great loge seat.

RIP Mr. Bruce. I Feel Free.

Very saddened by this news.

R.I.P dear Jack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbqQL0J_Vr0

In the 1970s Cream played in Miami Florida, I was working for the lighting company Cosmic Lighting and ran the main spot light, wonderful gig!

My most vivid memory of him was standing next to the stage at the Filmore West in San Francisco when his face and cloths kept changing colors...not sure why that was happening...ha!. Made that bass sound more like a lead sometimes. One of the heros of our youth. Jam on Jack!

A great songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. However, his greatest instrument was his voice. I feel the greatest male voice in rock. Listen to: We're Going Wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp6qb5OYisM

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RIP Jack Bruce.
Cream and White Room was a part of my drunken stoned early teenage years. Awesome music in a privileged time where musicians were exactly that and as Queen knew before video killed the radio star.

I agree with your sentiment, but what does Queen have to do with it?