Bass players and rock bands of the 60s will grieve the loss of Jack Bruce, a well-known bassist, composer, and one-third of the Cream band, when he succumbed to death in his hometown Suffolk, England, Saturday, October 25, due to liver disease.
His liver cancer can be attributed to the bassist's extreme addiction to alcohol and drug use. After being diagnosed with the disease in 2003, he underwent a transplant September of the same year. The operation wasn't successful when Jack Bruce's body rejected the new liver and almost died from it.
The official announcement of his demise was posted in his official website and Facebook account. It said, "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 Bruce' rise to popularity in the field of rock and roll started when he formed Cream, a rock band trio, in 1966 together with drummer Ginger Baker and guitarist Eric Clapton. Among their greatest hits are "Sunshine of Your Love", "White Room", "Cross Roads" and "Strange Brew".
As part of Cream, they became a household name not just for their music but due to their skirmishes and drug use. The conflict was strong then between Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker that they disbanded in 1968. Ironically, their collaborations turned out to be their greatest achievements as musicians.
As a group, the trio sold 35 million albums in just two years. They also received the first platinum disc for the Wheels of Fire album.
Eric Clapton promptly gave his tribute to the man in his Facebook post. "It is with great sadness that we learned that Jack Bruce had passed away this morning at his home in England. He was a great musician and composer, and a tremendous inspiration to me."
Ginger Baker also left a message in his official Facebook page. It said, "I am very sad to learn of the loss of a fine man, Jack Bruce... My thoughts & wishes are with his family at this difficult time." Comments that were posted, however, still recalled Baker's hate for Bruce.
