Stars including Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker have paid a farewell in song to their former Cream bandmate Jack Bruce at his funeral.
Jack Bruce died on October 25 as a result of liver disease.
Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker were among a number of musicians who joined Jack Bruce’s family at Golders Green Crematorium in north London.
They sang songs including Morning Has Broken and Strawberry Fields Forever.
Jack Bruce died on October 25 as a result of liver disease
The order of service described Jack Bruce, who was 71 when he died, as a “beloved husband, father, granddad and all round legend”.
His friend and Cream lyricist Pete Brown shared reminiscences with guests, which also included contributions from Jack Bruce’s son Malcolm, daughters Natasha and Kyla, a poem written by another son Corin and a tribute from his wife Margrit.
Jack Bruce, who was originally from Bishopbriggs near Glasgow, was said to have been one of the best bass players in the history of rock music.
He was most famous for his role alongside Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton in Cream. The 1960s supergroup created enduring tracks such as White Room, Sunshine Of Your Love, I Feel Free and Badge.
The trio reformed for a series of shows in 2005, which included dates at the Royal Albert Hall.
Also attending the funeral service were the Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera, Procol Harum star Gary Brooker, guitarist Vernon Reid and the musician and composer Nitin Sawhney.
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Cream bassist Jack Bruce has died aged 71, his publicist confirms.
Legendary group Cream, which also included Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, are now considered one of the most important bands in rock history.
Cream sold 35 million albums in just over two years and was given the first ever platinum disc for Wheels of Fire.
Jack Bruce wrote and sang most of the songs, including I Feel Free and Sunshine Of Your Love.
Born in the Glasgow suburb of Bishopbriggs in 1943, Jack Bruce’s parents travelled extensively in Canada and the USA and the young Jack attended 14 different schools.
He finished his formal education at Bellahouston Academy and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, to which he won a scholarship for cello and composition.
Jack Bruce wrote and sang most of Cream’s songs
Jack Bruce left the academy and Scotland at the age of 16 and eventually found his way to London where he became a member of the influential Alexis Korner’s Blues Inc, where Charlie Watts, later to join the Rolling Stones, was the drummer.
He played in a number of bands throughout the early 60s, including John Mayall’s Blues Breakers and Manfred Mann before joining Eric Clapton and Baker in Cream.
Cream split in November 1968 at the height of their popularity, with Jack Bruce feeling he had strayed too far from his ideals.
Jack Bruce never again reached the commercial heights he did with Cream but his reputation as one of the best bass guitarists in the business grew throughout the subsequent decades.
In May 2005, Jack Bruce reunited with his former Cream bandmates for a series of concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Jack Bruce’s death was announced on his official website, and confirmed by his publicist Claire Singers.
Claire Singers said: “He died today at his home in Suffolk surrounded by his family.”
A statement from Jack Bruce’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we, Jack’s family, announce the passing of our beloved Jack: husband, father and 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.”
