from today's Associated Press news---

Cream bassist says reunion in the works
By ALAN ROBINSON, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - Jack Bruce says Cream is once again rising to the top. The bassist for the legendary rock group told The Associated Press on Thursday that he agreed recently to play an unspecified show or shows later this year with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker.

Bruce would not say when the reunion would occur, but that it would not be the seven-continent Live Earth shows on July 7: "It's a bit later than that."

Bruce recently told the Scotsman newspaper there was no chance the band would reunite because of long-standing tension between him and Baker.

"Then, the next day, it came up we're doing something if I wanted to. Obviously, I'm not going to be the one to say no," Bruce told the AP during an appearance at the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp.

Representatives for Clapton and Baker have not confirmed the reunion.

Infighting and ego clashes between Baker and Bruce go back decades, with Baker once firing his drum sticks at Bruce during a show and Bruce upending Baker's drum kit.

Clapton persuaded Bruce and Baker to reunite in 2005 after a 37-year split. But the ill will resurfaced, with Baker accusing Bruce of turning up his bass to deafening levels during a Madison Square Garden show, and Clapton appeared uncomfortable on stage.

However, Bruce played those 2005 shows about a year after receiving a liver transplant that kept him alive. He hopes another Cream reunion would be less physically and mentally stressful.

"I hadn't recovered properly yet, so I found it quite difficult," Bruce said. "Now I'm completely recovered so I would enjoy it more."

Bruce made an infrequent performance Thursday, playing Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" and "White Room" with former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick, Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke and Queen keyboardist Spike Edney before about 75 spectators at the Fantasy Camp. Bruce also played Cream songs with the camp's amateur bands, composed of about 50 rock fans who paid upward of $15,000 each for the privilege.

Great news! I've seen Clapton and Bruce on separate occasions, but would love to see this power trio live.

I bet Eric is going to have a few hilarious and not so hilarious stories concerning his two bandmates in his autobiography. Jack and Ginger have got to grow up. Life is too short.

Jack Bruce's physical appearance at the MSG shows was downright alarming--his skin was gray. I can see Cream doing a couple more isolated shows, but I seriously doubt they could stand the rigors of an extended tour.

Eric Clapton turns down another Cream reunion

May 28th, 2009
http://blog.taragana.com/e/2009/05/28/e ... union-6020

LONDON - Eric Clapton has turned down the possibility of another reunion with his former band Cream, insisting the British blues-rock band had gone their separate ways amicably.

The incredible guitarist had pleased fans when he came together again with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce for gigs in London and New York four years ago.

But the 64-year-old said chances of a repeat reunion were bleak.

“I think I was clear that I don’t think we need to go there again… I think we’ve gone as far as we could with that,” the Daily Express quoted him as telling Rolling Stone magazine.

The rocker, however, insisted he would “never say never”, a comment which could go down well with Bruce, who told Billboard.com magazine last year, “I think there might be a chance of some more (gigs). I would like to do some more, ’cause I enjoyed it. It was very emotional. I would like another shot at it.” (ANI)

Cream bassist Jack Bruce confirms the supergroup will never reform again
Star rules out a reunion after completing his biography

April 11, 2010
http://www.nme.com/news/cream/50608



Cream bassist Jack Bruce has ruled out any chance of the supergroup reforming again.

The trio last reunited in 2005 when Bruce, Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker got together for the first time in almost four decades.

Bruce then said a reunion was on the cards two years later but it failed to materialise.

Now he has confirmed they will never reform again. "There’s a new story now – Cream is over," he told BBC 6 Music.

The bassist was speaking after completing his newly published biography, 'Composing Himself', which trails the highs and lows of his career, looking back on life on the road, his family tragedies and battles with drug addiction.

He said that he is currently working on a new project. "I'm doing something very exciting – so much so I can't even talk about it," he added. "It's the most exciting project I've ever been involved in."

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The thread for the above-mentioned Jack Bruce biography Composing Himself can be found here:

http://www.imwan.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=55816

Of the 3 Bruce is the only one who's made music that interests me in a really long time. And it's probably time for him to retire with his health issues.

Clapton said that reconvening for the New York shows was a mistake. I can't imagine these guys doing it again. Let's face it, they were in a jam band and being involved with that type of act after the career that EC has had must have gotten tedious for him after those reunion shows.

Enough.