Cream announce vinyl debut of Goodbye Tour show Live At The Forum

Cream will release the debut vinyl edition of their 1968 concert recording, “Live At The Forum”, on April 23.

A series of tracks from an October 19, 1968 show at the famed Los Angeles venue were originally included on the band’s 1969 album, “Goodbye”, and the full performance finally surfaced last year on the four-CD set, “Goodbye Tour Live 1968.”

Now, the first standalone vinyl offering of The Forum event will be made available as a limited-edition 2LP blue vinyl set that presents all 9 songs from the stop on the group’s farewell tour.

The record was produced by Bill Levenson, with Kevin Reeves mastering the tapes from the original 1968 analog mix reels.

With Cream, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton set the template for not only the 'supergroup' but also the "power trio."

"Cream was a shambling circus of diverse personalities who happened to find that catalyst together,” says Clapton. “Any one of us could have played unaccompanied for a good length of time. So you put the three of us together in front of an audience willing to dig it limitlessly, we could have gone on forever…. And we did….just going for the moon every time we played."

Cream reunited to perform at their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1993, and the trio would regroup again for a series of concerts in 2005 that resulted in a live recording from London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Bruce died of liver disease in 2014 at the age of 71, while Baker passed away in 2019.
Cream
"Goodbye Tour: Live At The Forum” vinyl edition
Release date: April 23

Side 1
1. “Introduction by Buddy Miles”
2. “White Room”
3. “Politician”
4. “I’m So Glad”

Side 2
1. “Sitting On Top Of The World”
2. “Crossroads”
3. “Sunshine Of Your Love”

Side 3
1. “Traintime”
2. “Toad”

Side 4
1. “Spoonful”

See also:

Eric Clapton reschedules Royal Albert Hall shows
Eric Clapton postpones European tour
Eric Clapton announces 2021 Royal Albert Hall shows
Eric Clapton to release Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 package
Search Eric Clapton at hennemusic

VIDEO: Eric Clapton hosts Ginger Baker tribute concert in London

photo: George Chin

Eric Clapton hosted a February 17 tribute concert in London in honor of his friend and Cream bandmate Ginger Baker, who passed away in October at the age of 80.

The event at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith saw Clapton deliver a number of Cream and Blind Faith classics alongside a number of guests, including Steve Winwood, Roger Waters, Ronnie Wood, Nile Rodgers, Paul Carrack, Chris Stainton, Sonny Emory, Steve Gadd, Willie Weeks, Katie Kissoon, Sharon White and Ginger’s son, Kofi Baker, among others.

According to Rolling Stone, Clapton opened the evening with Waters for the trio of Cream tracks “Sunshine Of Your Love”, “Strange Brew” and “White Room”, as Wood and Rodgers joined the lineup before resurfacing late in the show.

“I called him Peter Edward,” Clapton told the crowd, referencing Baker’s real name. “I think he’s here somewhere and he’ll be playing music for you tonight and we’re going to help him along. He was a scoundrel, but I loved him and he loved me and that was that. I saw some people get the rough edge of his tongue, but I never did and I feel blessed. That’s why I’m doing this. I miss him.”

Baker’s son, Kofi, handled drums for the last half of the concert, and delivered his father’s 1966 instrumental, “Toad”, before the closing finale with everyone on stage for Cream’s cover of the Robert Johnson classic, “Crossroads.”

All proceeds from the evening went towards the charity Leonard Cheshire, an organization close to the Baker family that supports people living with disabilities; learn more at leonardcheshire.org.

Ahead of the Baker tribute, Cream recently released “Goodbye Tour Live 1968”, a 4-disc box set of material from the group’s farewell tour.






See also:

Cream stream unreleased live version of Crossroads
Eric Clapton releases For Love On Christmas Day video
Eric Clapton debuts Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday video
Cream announce Goodbye Tour Live 1968 box set
Search Eric Clapton at hennemusic

Cream tops the hennemusic Hot 10

Cream tops this week’s hennemusic Hot 10.

The band are streaming a previously-unreleased version of “Crossroads” as the latest preview to their forthcoming box set, “Goodbye Tour Live 1968.”

Read all about it and check out the song in this week’s top story!

The HH10 is a list of the most-viewed rock news stories in the past week by hennemusic readers.

For a full list of hennemusic Hot 10 charts, check out the archives here.

hennemusic Hot 10
week ending January 19, 2020

01 – Cream stream unreleased live version of Crossroads
02 – The Doobie Brothers and T. Rex among 2020 Rock Hall inductees
03 – Steely Dan and Steve Winwood announce summer tour
04 – The Darkness announce North American tour
05 – KISS announce KISS Kruise 10
06 – Pearl Jam announce new Gigaton album and North American tour
07 – Judas Priest guitarist slams Rock Hall over second induction snub
08 – Frampton Comes Alive enters Grammy Hall Of Fame
09 – Judas Priest and Soundgarden among top Rock Hall fan votes
10 – Rush drummer Neil Peart dead at 67


See also:

Jan 12: Van Halen
Jan 05: Stevie Nicks
Dec 29: Ozzy Osbourne
Dec 22: Steve Perry
Dec 15: Alice Cooper

Cream stream unreleased live version of Crossroads

Cream are streaming a previously-unreleased version of “Crossroads” as the latest preview to the February 7 release of the new box set, “Goodbye Tour Live 1968.”

Recorded at the San Diego Sports Arena, it’s one of 36 tracks from the power trio of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker in the package as captured during the group’s farewell tour of the U.S. and their final UK date at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

“Cream was a shambling circus of diverse personalities who happened to find that catalyst together,” says Clapton. “Any one of us could have played unaccompanied for a good length of time. So you put the three of us together in front of an audience willing to dig it limitlessly, we could have gone on forever…. And we did….just going for the moon every time we played.”

“Goodbye Tour Live 1968” will arrive shortly before Clapton hosts a tribute concert in honor of Baker, who passed away in October at the age of 80; the February 17 event will be held at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith in London.

See also:

Eric Clapton releases For Love On Christmas Day video
Eric Clapton debuts Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday video
Cream announce Goodbye Tour Live 1968 box set
Eric Clapton announces Ginger Baker tribute concert
Search Eric Clapton at hennemusic

Eric Clapton tops the hennemusic Hot 10

Eric Clapton tops this week’s hennemusic Hot 10.

The guitarist has announced a one-time only tribute concert for his friend and Cream bandmate Ginger Baker, who recently passed away at the age of 80.

Read all about it in this week’s top story!

The HH10 is a list of the most-viewed rock news stories in the past week by hennemusic readers.

For a full list of hennemusic Hot 10 charts, check out the archives here.

hennemusic Hot 10
week ending December 1, 2019

01 – Eric Clapton announces Ginger Baker tribute concert
02 – Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason expands UK tour and adds European dates
03 – Robert Plant revisits Carry Fire on Digging Deep podcast
04 – Pink Floyd launch new podcast series
05 – Rush bassist Geddy Lee announces December book tour dates
06 – VIDEO: Ozzy Osbourne performs with Post Malone in Los Angeles
07 – VIDEO: Green Day rock Dookie classic at American Music Awards
08 – Motley Crue singer Vince Neil undergoes hand surgery
09 – Cream announce Goodbye Tour Live 1968 box set
10 – Motley Crue announce reunion


See also:

Nov 24: Motley Crue
Nov 17: The Black Crowes
Nov 10: KISS
Nov 03: Robert Plant
Oct 27: Pink Floyd

Cream announce Goodbye Tour Live 1968 box set

Cream will release “Goodbye Tour Live 1968”, a 4-disc box set of material from the group’s farewell tour, on February 7.

The package brings together 36 tracks, including 29 making their first appearance on CD, recorded during Cream’s farewell tour of the U.S. in October 1968 and their final UK date at London’s Royal Albert Hall on November 26 of that same year.

There are a total of 19 previously unreleased tracks, and a further 10 tracks from the Royal Albert Hall show, which have only ever been available on DVD.

On its original release in February 1969, “Goodbye” – which combined live performances from their last tour dates with a handful of studio recordings – topped the UK charts while reaching No. 2 on the US Billboard 200.

This new expanded edition comprises three US concerts – at the Oakland Coliseum, Los Angeles Forum and San Diego Sports Arena – alongside London’s Royal Albert Hall.

“Cream was a shambling circus of diverse personalities who happened to find that catalyst together….. any one of us could have played unaccompanied for a good length of time,” explains Eric Clapton. “So you put the three of us together in front of an audience willing to dig it limitlessly, we could have gone on forever…. And we did….just going for the moon every time we played.”

“Goodbye Tour Live 1968” is bring previewed with a stream of previously-unreleased live audio of “Sunshine Of Your Love” from the Oakland concert date.

The box set will arrive shortly before Clapton hosts a tribute concert in honor of drummer Ginger Baker, who passed away in October at the age of 80; the February 17 event will be held at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith in London.

Cream bassist Jack Bruce died of liver disease in 2014 at the age of 71.

Cream
“Goodbye Tour Live 1968”
Release date: February 7, 2020

Disc One: October 4, 1968 - Oakland Coliseum, Oakland (all tracks previously unreleased, except *)

01. White Room 6.19*
02. Politician 5.22*
03. Crossroads 3.57
04. Sunshine Of Your Love 5.35
05. Spoonful 16.47
06. Deserted Cities Of The Heart 5.26*
07. Passing The Time 10.40
08. I'm So Glad 7.07

Disc Two: October 19, 1968 - Los Angeles Forum, Los Angeles (all tracks previously unreleased except *)

01. Introduction by Buddy Miles 1:39
02. White Room 6.53
03. Politician 6.41*
04. I'm So Glad 9.37*
05. Sitting On Top Of The World 4.53*
06. Crossroads 4.25
07. Sunshine Of Your Love 6.27
08. Traintime 8.11
09. Toad 12.55
10. Spoonful 17.27*

Disc Three: October 20, 1968 - San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego (all tracks previously unreleased)

01. White Room 6.42
02. Politician 6.26
03. I'm So Glad 7.53
04. Sitting On Top Of The World 5.45
05. Sunshine Of Your Love 5.13
06. Crossroads 4.13
07. Traintime 9.39
08. Toad 14.03
09. Spoonful 9.12

Disc Four: Cream Farewell Concert November 26, 1968 - Royal Albert Hall, London (all tracks first-time release on CD)

01. White Room 8.02
02. Politician 6.37
03. I'm So Glad 6.53
04. Sitting On Top Of The World 5.06
05. Crossroads 5.03
06. Toad 11.22
07. Spoonful 15.47
08. Sunshine Of Your Love 8.37
09. Steppin' Out 5.02


See also:

Eric Clapton announces Ginger Baker tribute concert
Cream drummer Ginger Baker dead at 80
Cream: Ginger Baker health update
Cream drummer Ginger Baker is critically ill in hospital
Search Eric Clapton at hennemusic

Eric Clapton announces Ginger Baker tribute concert

Eric Clapton has announced a one-time only concert to celebrate the musical life of his friend and Cream bandmate Ginger Baker, who passed away last month at the age of 80.

“Eric Clapton & Friends: A Tribute to Ginger Baker” will take place Monday, February 17, 2020 at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith in London.

According to a press release, the set list for the concert “will look to honor Baker’s lifetime in music and will, of course, include Clapton and Baker’s work together in Cream and Blind Faith.”

Forthcoming announcements will detail the artist line-up for the event, which will benefit Leonard Cheshire, a charity close to the Baker family that supports people living with disabilities; learn more at leonardcheshire.org.

Tickets for the tribute concert will go on sale on Friday, November 29 at 10:00am via the usual outlets.

Prior to his passing, Baker had faced a number of health issues in recent years, including degenerative osteoarthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Baker and Clapton teamed up with bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce in London in 1966 to form one of the first high-profile power trios in rock; Cream would release four records by the time they split in 1968 while going on to sell 15 million albums worldwide.

See also:

Cream drummer Ginger Baker dead at 80
Cream: Ginger Baker health update
Cream drummer Ginger Baker is critically ill in hospital
Duane Allman guitar from Eric Clapton Layla sessions sells for $1 million at auction
Search Eric Clapton at hennemusic

Cream drummer Ginger Baker dead at 80

Cream drummer Ginger Baker died in a UK hospital on October 6 at the age of 80.

“We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully this morning,” confirmed the rocker’s family on social media. “Thank you to everyone for your kind words to us all over the past weeks.”

While the drum legend’s family first revealed his critical health status two weeks ago, no cause of death has been revealed at press time.

Baker has faced a number of issues in recent years, including degenerative osteoarthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Born Peter Baker in London in 1939, he began playing drums at the age of 15 and went on to become a fixture on the Soho jazz scene just a few years later. In 1962, Charlie Watts suggested Baker as his replacement in Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated when Watts left to join The Rolling Stones; Baker would last a year before forming the Graham Bond Organization with keyboardist Graham Bond and future Cream bandmate Jack Bruce.

Baker and Bruce would regroup to team up with Eric Clapton to form one of the first high-profile power trios in rock, Cream, in London in 1966; the lineup are widely regarded as the world's first rock supergroup.

Cream issued three albums – 1996’s “Fresh Cream”, 1967’s “Disraeli Gears”, 1968’s “Wheels Of Fire” – before playing a farewell tour that ended with two shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall in November of 1968, and releasing a live and studio set, “Goodbye”, the following year.

When Clapton started working with Steve Winwood from Traffic in 1969, Baker joined in alongside bassist Ric Grech as the new supergroup recorded and released their self-titled debut, “Blind Faith”, before disbanding after a short tour.

The drummer would form and tour as a jazz-fusion outfit under the name Ginger Baker’s Air Force before moving to Nigeria to set up a recording studio that would produce records from local and international musicians, including Paul McCartney’s 1973 set, “Band On The Run.”

Baker would go on to work with other groups, including Baker Gurvitz Army, Hawkwind, Public Image Ltd., Masters Of Reality, The Ginger Baker Trio, and BBM with Jack Bruce and guitarist Gary Moore.

Cream reunited to perform at their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1993, and the trio would regroup again for a series of concerts in 2005 that resulted in a live recording from London’s Royal Albert Hall.

The drummer, who has also released numerous solo albums, was the subject of the 2012 documentary “Beware Of Mr. Baker.”

Cream bassist Jack Bruce died of liver disease in 2014 at the age of 71.

We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully in hospital this morning. Thank you to everyone for your kind words over the past weeks.

— Ginger Baker (@GingerBDrums) October 6, 2019

See also:

Cream: Ginger Baker health update
Cream drummer Ginger Baker is critically ill in hospital
Duane Allman guitar from Eric Clapton Layla sessions sells for $1 million at auction
VIDEO: John Lennon supergroup performs Beatles classic on Rock And Roll Circus reissue
Search Eric Clapton at hennemusic

Cream: Ginger Baker health update

The family of Cream drummer Ginger Baker are sharing an update on the rock legend’s status as he remains in hospital with an undisclosed illness.

“UPDATE! Ginger is holding his own & thank you for all your good wishes,” shared the family via social media on September 29. “He is receiving visits from close family & very special friends.”

Baker’s urgent health status was first revealed on September 25: “The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital. Please keep him in your prayers tonight."

The rocker has faced a number of health issues in recent years, including degenerative osteoarthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Baker, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce formed one of the first high-profile power trios in rock, Cream, in London in 1966; the lineup are widely regarded as the world's first rock supergroup.

Cream issued three albums – 1996’s “Fresh Cream”, 1967’s “Disraeli Gears”, 1968’s “Wheels Of Fire” – before playing a farewell tour that ended with two shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall in November of 1968, and releasing a live and studio set, “Goodbye”, the following year.

UPDATE! Ginger is holding his own & thank you for all your good wishes. He is receiving visits from close family & very special friends.

— Ginger Baker (@GingerBDrums) September 29, 2019

See also:

Cream drummer Ginger Baker is critically ill in hospital
Duane Allman guitar from Eric Clapton Layla sessions sells for $1 million at auction
VIDEO: John Lennon supergroup performs Beatles classic on Rock And Roll Circus reissue
VIDEO: Eric Clapton performs Prince classic Purple Rain in London
Search Eric Clapton at hennemusic

Cream drummer Ginger Baker is critically ill in hospital

The family of Cream drummer Ginger Baker has revealed the 80-year-old rock legend has been hospitalized and is in poor condition.

"The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital,” they posted on social media. “Please keep him in your prayers tonight."

No further details regarding his illness have been disclosed.

Rolling Stone notes that Baker has suffered a number of ailments in recent years; in 2016, the drummer underwent open heart surgery after being forced to cancel a tour with his band Air Force earlier in the year when he was diagnosed with “serious heart problems.”

In 2013, the rocker revealed that his health was “not good” and that performing left him exhausted.

“I’ve got degenerative osteoarthritis, which is extremely painful and I’m on a regiment with a health service pain management control,” Baker told Rolling Stone at the time. “Apart from that I’ve got COPD from smoking.”

Baker cofounded Cream in 1966 with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce and released four albums before they disbanded in 1968; he went on to form the short-lived Blind Faith with Clapton, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech before launching his band Air Force in 1970.

The drummer has also released numerous solo albums, and was the subject of the 2012 documentary “Beware Of Mr. Baker.”

Cream bassist Jack Bruce died of liver disease in 2014 at the age of 71.

The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital. Please keep him in your prayers tonight

— Ginger Baker (@GingerBDrums) September 25, 2019

See also:

Duane Allman guitar from Eric Clapton Layla sessions sells for $1 million at auction
VIDEO: John Lennon supergroup performs Beatles classic on Rock And Roll Circus reissue
VIDEO: Eric Clapton performs Prince classic Purple Rain in London
Eric Clapton announces US shows ahead of 2019 Crossroads Guitar Festival
Search Eric Clapton at hennemusic

Cream to release expanded reissue of debut album Fresh Cream

Supergroup Cream will mark the 50th anniversary of their 1966 debut, “Fresh Cream”, with an expanded reissue on January 27.

A Deluxe Edition of the first studio album by the power trio of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker has been packaged as a 3CD + 1 Blu-ray audio disc set featuring various alternate and new stereo mixes plus several, previously unreleased BBC sessions.

Presented in a gatefold sleeve within a rigid slipcase, the reissue includes a 64-page hardback book featuring new sleeve notes by Rolling Stone writer David Fricke.

A special 6LP 180g Vinyl edition of “Fresh Cream” will also be released in April 2017.

“Fresh Cream” originally delivered a UK version and a slightly different US version; the UK release included a cover of the Willie Dixon classic, “Spoonful”, while the tune was replaced by the group’s second hit and UK single, “I Feel Free”, on the US version.

The project peaked at No. 6 on the UK album chart and No. 39 on the U.S. album chart while earning Gold status for sales in both countries.

Cream disbanded following a farewell concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1968. The group reunited for their 1993 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and then again in 2005 for a series of London shows that were recorded and released that same year and promoted with additional concerts at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Bassist Jack Bruce passed away from liver disease in 2014 at the age of 71.


Spoonful


See also:

Eric Clapton announces US concerts
VIDEO: Eric Clapton performs Wonderful Tonight on Live In San Diego set
VIDEO: Eric Clapton performs blues classic on Live In San Diego with JJ Cale
VIDEO: Eric Clapton previews Live In San Diego with JJ Cale
Search Eric Clapton at hennemusic

Rockpalast to release Jack Bruce The 50th Birthday Concerts

German music television series Rockpalast will release “Jack Bruce - Rockpalast: The 50th Birthday Concerts” on December 2.

The 4-disc box set features performances from Bruce’s belated 50th birthday celebration with friends on stage on November 2nd and 3rd, 1993 at the E-Werk in Cologne.

The Cream bassist – who died October 25 from liver disease at the age of 71 – was joined by Ginger Baker and Simon Phillips on drums, Clem Clempson and Gary Moore on guitar, Dick Hecksatll-Smith and Art Themen on saxophone, Bernie Worrell and Gary Husband on keyboards, Maggie Reilly and Gary Cooper on vocals, and more.

The package will be available on special edition DVD/CD, CD/DVD digipack, DVD, and digital formats.

The "Special Edition" comes with 2 concert DVDs, plus 1 bonus DVD containing additional footage and interviews, the bonus CD "The Lost Tracks", two 12-page booklets with new liner notes and previously unreleased photos in 2 DVD digipacks, coated with a slipcase.

Following Bruce’s passing, his family requested fans consider paying tribute by donating to a cause the bassist supported: East Anglian Children's Hospice (Reference: Jack Bruce).




See also:

Cream bassist Jack Bruce’s funeral open to the public
Cream bandmates pay tribute to Jack Bruce
Cream bassist Jack Bruce dead at 71
VIDEO: Preview documentary on Cream drummer Ginger Baker
Santana & Rob Thomas cover Cream

Cream bassist Jack Bruce’s funeral open to the public

Cream bassist Jack Bruce’s November 5 funeral will be open to the public.

Bruce passed away at his home in Suffolk on October 25 from liver disease.

“Jack Bruce's family would like to thank everyone for the kind words and messages from around the world with friends and fans sharing in their grief,” they posted. “Jack's private funeral will be held on Wednesday 5th November at 10am, Golders Green Crematorium, London. Jack always liked a good audience, so fans are welcome to cheer his arrival at the final 'gig'.”

“If people wish to send flowers, the family request fair trade or British flowers or a donation in Jack's memory to his chosen charity: East Anglian Children's Hospice Reference: Jack Bruce.”

The bassist reportedly died from liver disease, which he was originally diagnosed with in 2003. The rocker underwent a transplant which almost proved to be a fatal at the time: his body initially rejected the new organ but Bruce did eventually recover.

Rock’s first supergroup, Cream helped introduce a mixture of blues, hard rock and psychedelic rock when they burst upon the scene in 1966 with their debut album, “Fresh Cream.”

On November 25, Cream will release a career-spanning 6-LP vinyl box set.

“Cream: 1966-1972” features the band’s four studio and two live sets reissued with reproductions of original artwork on 180-gram heavyweight audiophile vinyl.




See also:

Cream bandmates pay tribute to Jack Bruce
Cream bassist Jack Bruce dead at 71
VIDEO: Preview documentary on Cream drummer Ginger Baker
Santana & Rob Thomas cover Cream

Cream bandmates pay tribute to Jack Bruce

Cream members Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker have paid tribute to bandmate Jack Bruce, who passed away Saturday at the age of 71.

“He was a great musician and composer, and a tremendous inspiration to me,” said Clapton.

The guitarist posted an acoustic song in the bassist’s honor, writing “For Jack…” – hear it here.

“We will always miss you JACK R.I.P.,” posted Baker.

Bruce’s family confirmed the news Saturday via his social media sites.

“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.”

"He died today at his home in Suffolk surrounded by his family," added the bassist’s publicist.

Bruce reportedly died from liver disease, which he was originally diagnosed with in 2003. The rocker underwent a transplant which almost proved to be a fatal at the time: his body initially rejected the new organ but Bruce did eventually recover.

Rock’s first supergroup, Cream helped introduce a mixture of blues, hard rock and psychedelic rock when they burst upon the scene in 1966 with their debut album, “Fresh Cream.”

On November 25, Cream will release a career-spanning 6-LP vinyl box set.

“Cream: 1966-1972” features the band’s four studio and two live sets reissued with reproductions of original artwork on 180-gram heavyweight audiophile vinyl.




See also:

Cream bassist Jack Bruce dead at 71
VIDEO: Preview documentary on Cream drummer Ginger Baker
Santana & Rob Thomas cover Cream

Cream bassist Jack Bruce dead at 71

Cream bassist Jack Bruce died Saturday at the age of 71.

Bruce’s family confirmed the news via his social media sites.

“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.”

"He died today at his home in Suffolk surrounded by his family," added the bassist’s publicist.

Bruce reportedly died from liver disease, which he was originally diagnosed with in 2003. The rocker underwent a transplant which almost proved to be a fatal at the time: his body initially rejected the new organ but Bruce did eventually recover.

Along with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, Bruce was a member of rock’s first supergroup, Cream.

The band helped introduce a mixture of blues, hard rock and psychedelic rock with their 1966 debut, “Fresh Cream.”

The group's third album, 1968’s “Wheels of Fire”, was the world's first platinum-selling double album.

Bruce was the featured voice on Cream classics like “Sunshine Of Your Love”, “White Room” and “I Feel Free.”

Cream disbanded following a farewell concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1968. The group reunited for their 1993 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and then again in 2005 for a series of London shows that were recorded and released that same year and promoted with additional concerts at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

In 2007, Bruce revealed that Cream were originally scheduled to perform at the Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert headlined by Led Zeppelin.

He explained to a fanzine: “We were going to do this tribute concert for Ahmet when it was to be at the Royal Albert Hall but decided to pass when it was moved to the O2 Arena and seemed to be becoming overly commercial.”

On November 25, Cream will release a career-spanning 6-LP vinyl box set.

“Cream: 1966-1972” features the band’s four studio and two live sets reissued with reproductions of original artwork on 180-gram heavyweight audiophile vinyl.






See also:

VIDEO: Preview documentary on Cream drummer Ginger Baker
Santana & Rob Thomas cover Cream

VIDEO: Preview documentary on Cream drummer Ginger Baker

There’s a new film about Cream drummer Ginger Baker on the horizon.

“Beware Of Mr. Baker” is the work of writer/producer Jay Bulger, who spent three months living with the rock legend in South Africa where Ginger has spent the previous decade living in seclusion.

The visit resulted in a Rolling Stone piece, “In Search of Ginger Baker” - the article and the numerous hours of interviews Jay captured on film became the premise for the documentary, and in the spring of 2010, Jay returned to South Africa with a small crew to finish making the film.

Baker’s legendary status as drummer for Cream and Blind Faith is backed up on film by stories from his ex-wives, children, and many of the greatest living musicians that worked with Ginger, including Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Charlie Watts, Mickey Hart, Carlos Santana, Max Weinberg, Chad Smith, Femi Kuti, Neal Peart, Simon Kirke, Marky Ramone and many more.

The drummer calls South Africa home, a place where he lives inside a fortified compound with his 29-year-old internet bride and 39 polo ponies.

Chain smoking and ingesting copious amounts of morphine while sitting in his leather recliner, the 73-year-old reflects back on his life as we concurrently witness his current law suits, local disputes, and yet another chapter in his path of destruction. Unfortunately, Ginger’s ginger hair has faded, and we wonder if he is physically capable of saving himself by playing the instrument that has defined him. In his own words, “God is punishing me for my past wickedness by keeping me alive and in as much pain as he can. I wasn’t planning on living this long!”

In true Ginger Baker fashion, 3 years into shooting the film, after squandering yet another fortune, Baker triumphantly returns to the stage; as he went on a 30 date sold out European tour, the producers were there to capture it on film for posterity.

“Beware Of Mr. Baker” will be screened several times at SXSW in Austin starting March 10.

Check out more about the film at bewareofmrbaker.com





Cream

Cream – Sunshine Of Your Love



See also:

Santana & Rob Thomas cover Cream

Santana & Rob Thomas cover Cream

We’re giving you a “sneak peek” at Santana’s “Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time,” all day today at hennemusic.

The new disc is in stores tomorrow, but we’re previewing a new track at the top of each hour today, starting at 6:00 a.m. eastern.

For the full song list and today’s schedule, click here.

Santana

Rob Thomas reteams with Santana for track 3 on the new disc, a cover of Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love.”

Santana with Rob Thomas – Sunshine Of Your Love
Originally recorded by Cream


Up next hour: track 4 - Santana with India.Arie & Yo-Yo Ma – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” originally recorded by The Beatles.