Jack Bruce, the bassist for legendary rock supergroup Cream, has died. He was 71.
Bruce’s family announced his death via Facebook and the musician’s official website.
“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 statement said. “The world of music will be a poorer place
without him, but he lives on in his music and forever in our hearts.”
The Scottish-born singer died Saturday “at his home in Suffolk surrounded by his family,” publicist Claire Singers confirmed.
No further details were provided, but the Press Association reported that Bruce died of liver disease.
Bruce is best known as a member of the 1960s British band, Cream, performing alongside members Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker.
Formed in 1966, Cream went on to sell 35 million albums in just two
years, according to Bruce’s website. The band’s third album, Wheels of Fire became
the first-ever platinum-selling double album. Cream split shortly after
its debut in 1968, and Bruce went on to front his own bands.
“Jack felt that he had strayed too far from his ideals, and wanted to
re-discover his musical and social roots,” according to Bruce’s website.
He returned to the studio to record his 2001 solo album Shadows in the Air, which hit no. 5 on the British jazz and blues chart.
Bruce was born to musical parents in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 14,
1943. His parents traveled extensively in Canada and the U.S., and a
young Bruce 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.
Bruce left Scotland at 16, and in 1962, joined his first important
band, the influential Alexis Korner’s Blues Inc., in London. It featured
drummer Charlie Watts, who later joined The Rolling Stones.