Jack Bruce, bass player and lead singer of Cream, has lost his battle with liver cancer at the age of 71.
Bruce formed Cream with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker in 1966. They were one of the first Supergroups. Baker was frontman for the Graham Bond Organisation, Clapton ex-Yardbirds and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Bruce hovered between The Bluesbreakers and Graham Bond Organisation, so the three already had a track-record together when they formed.
Cream released four albums betweeen1966 and 1969, ‘Fresh Cream’ (1966), ‘Disraeli Gears’ (1967), ‘Wheels On Fire’ (1968) and ‘Goodbye’ (1969).
In the UK Cream have seven chart hits including ‘Wrapping Paper’ (1966), ‘I Feel Free’ (1966), ‘Strange Brew’ (1967), ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ (1968), ‘Anyone For Tennis’ (1968), ‘White Room’ (1968) and ‘Badge’ (1969).
The personalities in Cream were dynamic and the band broke up during the US tour of 1968. Their last show was on November 26, 1968.
It wasn’t until 1993 when the band regrouped for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and then not until 2005 when they reunited for four public shows on May 2, 3, 5 and 6 at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The concert was released commercially as the live ‘Royal Albert Hall London’ CD and DVD.
Bruce released 14 solo albums after Cream working mainly based around his blues and jazz roots. His most recent album was ‘Silver Rails’ in March 2014.
The following statement was released by the Bruce family:
It is with great sadness that we, Jack’s family, announce the passing of our beloved Jack: husband, father and granddad and all-round legend.
The world of music will be a poorer place without him, but he lives on in his music and forever in our hearts.
