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Jack Bruce, the legendary ‘Fret-less Bassist”, dead at 71 (May 14, 1943 – October 25, 2014)
 
  by: iradiotom - Philadelphia, PA
started: 10/27/14 8:23 pm | updated: 10/27/14 8:23 pm
 
By Paula Iacovelli Wholey
March 28, 2014

Eric Clapton's unforgettable lead guitar was, in a way, 'discovered' when the short-lived but very influential band, CREAM, was born in the summer of 1966. But it was bassist Jack Bruce - who helped form Cream, along with Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker - who wrote and sang this legendary group's most memorable hits. It is his voice that we all remember, soaring hauntingly over the guitar riffs and throbbing drumbeats. His voice is now silent.

Jack Bruce, 71, passed away in a Suffolk (UK) hospital on Saturday, 25 October 2014, with family all about him. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, but it is his contribution as a songwriter, singer and bassist with Cream for which he’ll be remembered by Cream fans worldwide.

His most popular creations were Sunshine of Your Love, White Room, and a particularly personal favorite, I Feel Free. Considered to be one of the greatest trios ever to play rock and roll Cream dissolved in November of 1968 at the height of their worldwide popularity. Even so, with only four studio albums to their credit, their recordings have sold an unimaginable 35 Million records so far - this by a band that was only active for a little more than two years.

After Cream, Jack Bruce moved forward with an active solo career, and would bring his legendary “fret-less bass” to bear, playing with numerous blues and jazz groups over the years. He also went on tour with Ringo Starr and his “All-Starr Band”, working with them well into the new millennium.

Cream came back together in 1993, to appear for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2005, Jack, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker reunited as Cream - after nearly 37 years - for a limited number of live appearances. They performed shows to great acclaim at the Royal Albert Hall in London and then later flew over to New York City to play several more shows at Madison Square Garden.

Born into a musical family in Glasgow, Scotland on May 14, 1943, Jack had the opportunity to travel extensively to Canada and the US with his parents. He went to numerous schools as a result, but completed his formal training – earning a scholarship for cello and composition – at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. In 2007 the Academy honored him with a Doctor of Music degree; in 2009, Glasgow Caledonian University granted him the degree of Doctor of Letters.

Ginger Baker expressed his feelings through his Facebook page, for "the loss of a fine man… My thoughts and wishes are with his family at this difficult time." On his own Facebook page, Eric Clapton said Jack Bruce "was a great musician and composer, and a tremendous inspiration to me." Jack’s family confirmed his passing on his Website saying. “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.”

Jack had just released his 14th studio album, entitled “Silver Nails” back in March of 2014. When interviewed by Rolling Stone earlier in 2014, Jack Bruce waxed philosophical. “What remains from [Cream], I remember, [Frank] Zappa called it a ‘nifty little trio’ and I think he had it about right. And what remains is that handful of those songs that people still love. And that’s not bad.”
 

 
 
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