Jack Bruce, Bassist Of 1960s Rock Group Cream, Dies At 71

Jack Bruce, the Scottish bassist and vocalist for famed 1960s British rock group Cream, died Saturday at the age of 71. The musician had reportedly been suffering from liver disease.

Bruce’s family confirmed the news on Facebook Saturday. “It is with great sadness that we, Jack’s family, announce the passing of our beloved Jack: husband, father, granddad, and all round legend,” they announced on his Facebook page. “The world of music will be a poorer place without him, but he lives on in his music and forever in our hearts.”

Bruce was a principal songwriter for Cream, in which he played alongside famed musicians Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton. The group attained massive success in the late 1960s, selling more than 35 million albums in just two years. The band broke up in 1968, but reunited again briefly in 2005.

Bruce co-wrote some of the bands biggest hits, including “Sunshine Of Your Love” and “White Room.” After Cream’s breakup, he worked as a solo artist and a part of smaller music acts, but struggled frequently with drug addiction and financial woes.

Clapton and Baker took to Facebook to memorialize Bruce Saturday. "He was a great musician and composer, and a tremendous inspiration to me," Clapton wrote on his page. Baker posted a photo from Cream's reunion tour in 2005, and wrote, "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."

Other musicians commemorated Bruce’s life on Twitter upon hearing the news.