Jack Bruce, the Bishopbriggs-born bassist from band Cream, has died aged 71.

Following internet speculation of his passing due to liver disease being a hoax, his publicist confirmed the news yesterday (Saturday).

Bruce was best known for his part as writer and singer for most of the songs by 60s supergroup Cream, where he played bass alongside guitarist Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker on drums. The trio sold 35 million albums in just over two years, while singe hits included ‘I Feel Free’ and ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’.

Born in Bishopbriggs in 1943, Bruce’s childhood saw him ravel with his parents in the USA and Canada, although he completed his education at Bellahouston Academy before attending the Royal Scottish Academy of Music on a scholarship for cello and composition.

He then left Scotland at 16 and later, joined Alexis Korner’s Blues Inc alongside future Rolling Stone Charlie Watts. Stints in John Mayall’s Blues Breakers and Manfred Mann preceded his joining Clapton and Baker in Cream.

The ‘supergroup’ split in 1968 and while never achieving the massive popularity of his 60s act, Bruce continued to work in a variety of musical fields, ranging from the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Soft Machine, to Ringo Starr’s band, to the soundtrack of Scottish film The Slab Boys with Lulu, Edwyn Collins, Eddi Reader and the Proclaimers in 1997.

A statement issued by his 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.”