John “Jack” Bruce
May 14, 1943 – October 25, 2014
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As the founding bassist, songwriter and singer for the psychedelic rock trio, Cream, Jack Bruce will be remembered as one of popular music’s greatest bass players. Formed with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker in 1966, Cream quickly formed a legion of fans thanks to their powerful hybrid of hard rock, electric blues, and psychedelic rock. Like no other group before or since, each instrument was as prominent as the other to the point where Bruce’s bass, Clapton’s guitar, and Baker’s drums could be called the “lead” instrument. Even though they recorded only four albums across the span of just two years, Cream is regarded as one the most successful and influential “supergroups” of all time. Their third album, Wheels Of Fire was the world’s first platinum double album. Born into a musical family, Bruce took a shine to jazz bass early and eventually earned a scholarship to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where he supported himself during by playing in a local jazz band. In 1962, he joined the Graham Bond Organisation where he met Baker. After leaving the band in 1965, Bruce released a solo album and then joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers where he met Clapton, who he recruited for his new band. After Cream broke up, Bruce released several solo albums and collaborated with numerous rock and jazz fusion artists before reuniting with Cream in 1993 for their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and again in 2005 for a series of successful shows at the Royal Albert Hall in London and Madison Square Garden in New York City. Bruce continued to record and perform live until his passing from liver disease on October 25, 2014. He was 71.
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