Musician Jack Bruce, bassist and lead vocalist for the hugely successful rock group Cream, has died of a liver disease. He was 71.
He passed away last night at his home in Suffolk, England. His family announced the death on his website, reported the New York Times.
He had received a liver transplant several years ago, a spokesperson said. Bruce is survived by his wife, Margrit, as well as four children and a granddaughter.
Bruce, singer Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker founded the power trio Cream in 1966, which gained international recognition playing blues-rock and jazz-inflected rock music.
Bruce sang most of the lead vocals, with Clapton backing him up and eventually assuming some leads himself. With his Gibson EB-3 electric bass, Bruce became one of the most famous bassists in rock, winning musicians' polls and influencing the next generation of bassists such as Sting, Geddy Lee and Jeff Berlin.
He maintained a solo career that spanned several decades, and also played in several musical groups. Known as a vocalist and bass guitarist, Bruce was also a songwriter.
