Jack Bruce Composing Himself: the Authorised Biography by Shapiro, Harry/ Clapton, Eric (Foreward By) - 2010

2010 authorised biography on Jack Bruce.

When Cream broke up in 1968, many expected that Jack Bruce, not Eric Clapton, would be the one to enjoy continued commercial success. After all, Jack had the looks, and he co-wrote and sang all of the band's major hits, including 'Sunshine Of Your Love' and 'I Feel Free'. But Jack is a singular talent: he wanted to be a pioneer, not just a pop star, and has never been happy resting on his reputation. In a career spanning five decades, Jack has gone from composing string quartets at 12 to playing on the London jazz and blues scene of the early 60s in his late teens from global superstardom with Cream, one of the most influential rock bands of all time, through to ever-evolving musical adventures with the likes of John McLaughlin, Carla Bley, Bernie Worrell, and Mick Taylor. In this definitive insider account, author Harry Shapiro paints a vivid picture of the life and career of a man who has never quite achieved the success and recognition he deserves, and who along the way has had to overcome drug addiction, family tragedy, financial wrangling, and a liver transplant. Drawing on dozens of hours of first-hand interviews with Jack himself - as well as friends, family members, band-mates, and collaborators - Jack Bruce Composing Himself is the sometimes funny, sometimes bleak, always honest story of a true original.