Cream Bassist Jack Bruce Dead at 71
The Scottish bassist and singer best known for his role in '60s group Cream died in his home in Suffolk, England on Saturday, a statement from his family said.
The statement, which was shared on Bruce's Facebook page, follows:
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.
After Cream split in 1968, Bruce went on to record over a dozen solo albums in 45 years, and contributed his talents to albums by Frank Zappa, Ringo Starr, and others.
As one-third of one of rock's greatest trios, along with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker, Bruce was the voice and songwriter behind classic tracks like "White Room," "SWLABR," and "Sunshine of Your Love," which Bruce co-wrote with Clapton. Considered to be the first rock "supergroup," Cream pumped out four studio albums in three years – three of which landed on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time – before going their separate ways.
According to the Press Association, Bruce suffered from liver disease. He released what will now be his last solo album in March of this year.
[Image via Getty]