Jack Bruce, 1943-2014

[Shaka Zulu]

Apologies if this has already been posted, but:

It is with great sadness that we, Jack's family, announce the passing of our beloved Jack: husband, father, 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.

-Statement of Jack Bruce's family

Jack Bruce, the bassist for '60s English power trio Cream, passed away earlier today (October 25) at his Suffolk, England home after battling liver disease. He was 71 years old.

Bruce founded Cream with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker in 1966, with the group's melding of psychedelic rock, jazz and blues propelling them to fame and acclaim during their quick run. Bruce sang lead on classic tracks including "White Room," "I Feel Free" and "Sunshine of Your Love."

R.I.P. Cream Bassist Jack Bruce

My only regret was not being able to see them in concert back in 2005, but I will treasure this band always.

 

[Australis]

Onmre of the true greats of the bass, and a great band too. He will genuinely be missed.

 

[J.T.B.]

Cream (or "The Cream" as some used to say) wasn't together long so sometimes they get overshadowed by some other '60s acts. But, wow, what an influence. The heavy blues sound and high vocals that became a metal staple, the bass filling in the power trio gaps, the jazzy extended jamming... I love the sound Bruce got out of those short-scale basses and his clever fills, and his vocals on the bridge of "White Room" ("I'll wait in this place where the sun never shines...") can still give me a chill. Thanks to Mr. Bruce for the music, and RIP.

 

[Kirby]

Sad news. I love Cream, and I swear I had a Jack Bruce solo CD from the late 80s/early 90s, but I can't find it anywhere. I remember really enjoying it at the time.

 

[gblews]

God, what a great voice. He used to be a regular pick as bassist in Rolling Stone Magazine's all-star band (as was Ginger Baker. Can't recall if Clapton was the choice on guitar).

News of his passing bummed me out a little the whole week-end. RIP.

 

[Shaka Zulu]

Some video remembrances of Cream:

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwDo0JUeKqM[/yt]

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCc00pX_pFA[/yt]

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIKfECOE7GI[/yt]

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TjWNjSTIOs[/yt]

 

[Relayer1]

Saw Jack a bunch of times - Mrs Relayer's a huge fan.

The best I've seen him was a couple of gigs at Ronnie Scotts in Birmingham as a trio featuring a kid called Blues Saraceno on guitar. Fantastic gigs, both of them.

Although I'm not a big fan of his writing, he was a truly great bass player. World class - up there with both Entwhistle and Squire in my book, and a really nice guy when we met him.

A sad loss.