Jack Bruce is back from the brink.
The virtuoso bassist/vocalist who, with Eric Clapton, fronted the legendary '60s supergroup Cream, nearly died after a liver transplant.
Bruce, 60, was diagnosed with liver cancer over the summer, according to label Sanctuary Records, and he underwent a liver transplant September 19 in London. But his body rejected the organ, his kidneys failed and he developed an infection, practically killing the rocker.
"After being very critical for a period in which we almost lost him, Jack is now making a successful recovery," his family said in a statement.
The classically trained Scottish musician, equally adept in rock, blues and jazz, was one-third of Cream, joining Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker in 1966 in what is generally considered rock's first supergroup.
Bruce cowrote and sang many of the band's trademark tunes, including "I Feel Free," "White Room" and "Sunshine of Your Love." Cream recorded a string of now-classic tunes--including covers of "Crossroads," "Born Under a Bad Sign" and "Spoonful." and the Clapton-George Harrison collaboration "Badge"--but infighting took its toll. After three years, three studio albums and more than 30 million records sold worldwide, Cream disbanded in 1968.
Bruce, Clapton and Baker reunited for the band's 1993 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, jamming together on three songs.
Bruce then formed Jack Bruce & Friends (which counted former Jimi Hendrix sideman Mitch Mitchell among its members) before releasing several solo albums, ranging from folk-rock to jazz-blues.
His most recent effort, More Jack Than God, was released last month on Sanctuary.