What a pathetic thing to say. Yes Cream were brilliant – on a level with Zep – and good luck to whatever they want to do. But even an old fucked up fart like Bruce should recognise their legacy and respect their decisions regarding touring.

And just because they played everything in the correct key, doesn’t mean it’s better or not.

But i guess being the shit one next to two legends like Eric and Ginger must hurt.

Watch out for the story in the news that some Classic Rock Magazine hack murdered Jack Bruce. Geoff Barton, where were you at 2am?

“But i guess being the shit one next to two legends like Eric and Ginger must hurt. ”

Ouch. I think a lot of Jack but Cream isn’t my principal reference point – I think he’s done much more interesting things in the 40 years since. Ginger has done some too but Eric’s always been a bit of a capable yawn.

Surprised at the ferocity of this outburst but judging by the picture someone’s hit him on the head with the mental stick.

What a twat
Does he remember the cliffs pavillion half full for his legends of rock tour. (uli went bankrupt after that tour, and a close friend who im sure many of you know lost a lot of her own money) If Jimmy page had been there it would have been full.

As a guitarest myself i can see that jimmy bums a few notes here and there but for inavation, dynamics, structure and shear song writing ability jimmy is god not clapton.

Again as a guitar player-how hard is it to play most creme riffs (not hard) now play achillis last stand, black dog (properly) the list is endless. enough said.

Respect to Cream – all three members – but that’s pretty uncalled for.

Other rock n’ rollers seem to be really hating the Dec gig… remember Keith Richards? though i think he might be jokin’ when he said those stuff

Despite it being a pretty silly rant Jack Bruce is Britain’s most underrated musician.
He was the main writer and a brilliant singer with Cream. His electric bass playing is totally unparalleled. Most of his solo albums are fantastic. Not amazingly popular but does popular mean good.
The Sun is our best selling newspaper but it is pretty crappy.
Zep were eventuall ymore popular/successful than Cream cos they went on and on and on…. Cream were so much better. Baker was way better than Bonham. I too am no fan of Page whilst Clapton playing in Cream is outstanding (listen or watch the 2005 re-union). Bruce is a better musician than JP Jones and he COULD outsing anybody on the planet. (His voice has been somewhat weakened by his liver transplant.

I dont suppose many will agree with me. A lot of people think the Bee gees were good.

I think somebody’s jealous that Led Zeppelin is more famous then Cream.

Aw. Boohoo. Poor baby.

Tell you what, Jack. Why not go home to your mommy and have her feed you your baby bottle.

(And I actually had respect for this fool, once)

It’s true, the December Led Zeppelin reunion doesn’t seem to be that popular amongst the musicians out there. Not sure why, ’cause it freakin’ ruled, but there you go.

Ouch!!! Cream was a great band, still is, but Led Zeppelin RULES!!!! and that’s it, musicians from their home country and time never dig Zep. because Mr. Page was floppy some times , but what about Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones? they where always great. LED ZEP RULES Jack and you know it!!!

twat

Ha ha ha! Can’t anyone see the funny side of this? Look, I prefer Page to Clapton, and Zeppelin to Cream, but a bit of Glasgow humour is usually a good thing. And let’s not forget how many people Plant has slagged off. Beef air, eh?

PS For his work with Moore alone, Bruce deserves respect. Or something.

It sounds partly tongue-in-cheek, mixed with loads of jealousy. The Cream reunion didn’t generate the worldwide buzz anywhere near the level the Led Zeppelin reunion did. They probably didn’t even make as much money playing a bunch of shows as Led Zeppelin got for the one.

might well be wrong, but it just sounds like one too many bevvies to me! if i im wrong, he might wanna start a band with viv campbell an really pour scorn on everyone around him! good ol ego’s an all that gubbins!

Heard the rumour about a diminutive Scottish musician jamming with 3/4s of Led Zep, anyone?

Someone sounds tired and emotional.

well, i’m a hugh fan of Cream & i think jack bruce is one of the finest vocalists ever. but, i think his remarks on Led Zep are off base.

Jack, Jack, Jack… You really show your colors here. Not really about music I would say since that speaks for itself – Just an old angry man – Go shoot the sheriff….

A lot of people think the Bee gees were good.
Posted by Dave Oswald (127.0.0.1) on November 04, 2008 at 02:19 PM GMT #

He’s having a go at the Bee Gees now! You leave the poor sods out of it. There’d have been no olivia newton john in those spray on strides with out saturday night fever or aslan the lion without barry gibb. And what the bloody hell would maurice have done looking like that and having no money.

c’mon guys, who gives Jack the booze?

Holy crap…drunk on sour grapes!

It’s true, the December Led Zeppelin reunion doesn’t seem to be that popular amongst the musicians out there. Not sure why, ’cause it freakin’ ruled, but there you go. – Nathan

There is a reason for this, the pre and post hype of that concert was wayyyyyy over hyped. No band can perform up to it. History will show that the O2 concert was a good show for a band whose members are in their 60’s and have not played a full show together since 1980. As a spectacle it ruled, NOT as a performance. You are definitely showing your age[And playing it safe] if you have to play the the show a semi-tone down to accommodate your singer. If you compare the show to 85’s Live Aid or 88’s Atlantic show then 02 was a rousing success but if you compare it to Knebworth 80 – I don’t Think so mates. I dare anyone to compare the show to Their sub par shows at the MSG IN 73′ when as a band they were at the height of their powers but played well below it[See The Song Remains the Same]. It freakin’ ruled Nathan because the Zep were back together not because the show was one for the annals. The hype was so huge that you had baby boomers exiting the 02 saying it was the best show ever! Some of these nuts even profest to have seen Zep on multiple occasions when they were truely mighty. I have all of ZEP’s official live releases and a busload of bootlegs [Including the 02] so don’t try to feed people that it was the second coming cause it wasn’t.
Another thing, you so called Zep fans who continue to truge out the numbers[Record sales, general popularity etc.] need to give it a rest.
According to Guinness Book of Records, the Beatles had topped worldwide sales of 300 million units by 1969.By October 1972, the Beatles’ worldwide sales total stood at 545 million units. Today they are in the Billion Club of 2[With Elvis]. The Beatles sold 245 Million from the 69′[Zep I] to 72′[Zep IV]. It has taken Zep 39 years to do what the beatles did in 3 years[2 of which they were broken up]. I love the Fab 4 but noone in their right mind can suggest they were the best musicians of all time[Maybe your favorite but not the best(i.e. the most accomplished in their playing skills)].
The National Enquire is one of the top selling papers in the world, that don’t mean it’s good. The Iraq war once had the support of 90 plus percent of the American [300 Million] people but that don’t mean it’s the best or good.
I love both Cream and Zep and yes Jack Bruce[Who is Amazing! NOT 'the shit one next to two legends like Eric and Ginger' Andy-Bo-Bandy]was over zealous in his assessment of the situation. You have to remember[It's not an excuse but] Jack is inside the celebraty bubble where the media hardly shares accolades between their community. With the press it’s all about the bandwagon and using whatever sells papers/magazine or get’s you the ratings. I’m a Zep fan[Have been so since 72'] and a large part of these people who claim to be Zep fans are really Zep IV fans or worse Stairway fans. To the general pupblic Zep are one of the most reconizeable names so if it’s not The Beatles or The Stones it’s Zep, AC-DC, Aerosmith or OZZY[Not Sabbath].
Jack should have worded it differently for all you ULTRA sensitive primadonna/diva ZEP RULES!!! fans[So called] who can’t handle criticism when it comes to the Hammer of the Gods. The Clapton vs.Page exchange with Dave Ling was priceless.
Jack Bruce -”What? You’re gonna compare Eric Clapton with that fucking Jimmy Page? Would you really compare that?”
Here’s Dave Ling – “er…ahhh…ummm…To be fair, they’re different kinds of player, aren’t they?”[lol-Nuff Said].

This is what happens when CR does way too many covers and stories on LZ… it just pushes people over the edge and no one is immune.

Well fair fucks to Jack Bruce!!! At last someone who isn’t afraid to speak the truth. Yes, I totally agree with him: Led Zeppelin are total shite, i’ve never liked them, Jimmy Page is a terrible guitarist, the difference between him and Clapton is that while Clapton may be a past-it old sellout, he can play guitar, you cannot deny the guy’s talent, which is something that ass Page never had any of. Also, His production make Zeppelin records today sound flat and dilipitated. Jack Bruce is a brave man for saying what he said. I stand behind him all the way.

Come guys, he’s had a few and he’s on a wind up, so leave the bugger alone.
Don’t get so emotional.

Saw led zep 3 times-fantastic but god can Jimmy fluff a note or 2!Drove to London twice(1112 miles) without a ticket for the Cream reunion concerts and sadly never got in -did I miss a performance or what!I never stop playing that dvd. Eric is amazing! He can do it live!
Perhaps Jimmy could begin a second career as a fluffer!?!

scottbuster2000,

Are you by any chance a member of FBO, the official site, Planet Zeppelin, etc? You may or may not recognize me as jimmyRRpage (or nhevensone@gmail.com if you’re on FBO).

To your points:
———————-
There is a reason for this, the pre and post hype of that concert was wayyyyyy over hyped. No band can perform up to it. History will show that the O2 concert was a good show for a band whose members are in their 60’s and have not played a full show together since 1980. As a spectacle it ruled, NOT as a performance.
———————-

I agree that is was ridiculously over-hyped. But I also think that was inevitable. But as far as performance?

———————-
You are definitely showing your age[And playing it safe] if you have to play the the show a semi-tone down to accommodate your singer.
———————-

So… (you think) Plant’s performance wasn’t all that. But tuning down doesn’t effect how Page played the guitar, or Jones played his bass and keyboards, or Jason played drums. IMO, their performance ruled. Page proved that he still has the skill, speed, dexterity, and emotion to play the guitar the way we all have come to know and love. I don’t need to say anything about JPJ who is, without a doubt, the most brilliant of them. And anyone who says Bonzo Jr was subpar on the drums needs to have their head examined (said with all due respect). Jason proved that he had what it takes to play with Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and (if he weren’t such a dick) Robert Plant.

———————-
but if you compare it to Knebworth 80 – I don’t Think so mates. I dare anyone to compare the show to Their sub par shows at the MSG IN 73′ when as a band they were at the height of their powers but played well below it[See The Song Remains the Same]. It freakin’ ruled Nathan because the Zep were back together not because the show was one for the annals. The hype was so huge that you had baby boomers exiting the 02 saying it was the best show ever! Some of these nuts even profest to have seen Zep on multiple occasions when they were truely mighty.
———————-

That would be Knebworth ‘79. I wasn’t aware that Led Zeppelin played Knebworth in ‘80. (Just saying…)

We’ll have to agree to disagree. I fully feel it was one for the annals. I will say right now that their performance of Kashmir at the reunion was the best live performance of Kashmir Led Zeppelin has ever given. Giving concession to the fact that it was the first time they played For Your Life live, that performance was f’ing brilliant and emotionally charged from everyone including Plant. In My Time of Dying is, for me, in the top 10 LZ performances of the song, and I thought No Quarter was stunning.

Oh, and before you tell me not to judge by the official releases, guess what? I don’t…

I have at least one source of every live recording to come out of ‘69 (including the ‘68 Gonzaga show), ‘70, ‘71, ‘72, ‘73, ‘75, and ‘79. I currently have half of ‘77 and will soon have all of ‘77. I have 2 shows from ‘80 but am also looking to get the rest of ‘80, as well. I also have at least one recording of every single reunion, including 6 different audio sources and 1 video source for the O2 reunion.

That’s not counting all the studio outtakes and sessions I have.

So I think it’s fair to say I’ve done my comparisons.

Also… Bron-Y-Aur Stomp is my all-time favorite song. I would rank Stairway to Heaven somewhere in Led Zeppelin’s top… 40 (though I do think it’s a masterpiece of music). Kashmir is a much better song.

No, I didn’t see Led Zeppelin live. I’m only 21 years old. But I would have if I had had the chance. I wasn’t even given the chance at the reunion because Harvey Goldsmith is an idiot.

And I think it’s fair to say those baby boomers who “claimed” to have seen LZ live in their heyday probably did, amongst tons of other brilliant acts from the era.

———————-
I have all of ZEP’s official live releases and a busload of bootlegs [Including the 02] so don’t try to feed people that it was the second coming cause it wasn’t.
———————-

Actually, it was. Now we just need Robert to admit it… because both Page and Jones already have.

———————-
The Clapton vs.Page exchange with Dave Ling was priceless.
Jack Bruce -”What? You’re gonna compare Eric Clapton with that fucking Jimmy Page? Would you really compare that?”
Here’s Dave Ling – “er…ahhh…ummm…To be fair, they’re different kinds of player, aren’t they?”[lol-Nuff Said].
———————-

You really think they’re the same type of guitarist?

You must not really listen to either of them, do you?

It’s comparing apples to oranges. Comparing Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page is like comparing Jeff Beck and Carlos Santana. Different players, different style, different music.

I’d say, technically, Eric Clapton is better. Actually, by technicality alone, I wouldn’t even put Page in the top 10. But Page is quite a bit more exciting as a player and has a lot more emotion. Clapton bores me to death. Hell… Gilmour is more exciting then Clapton. Clapton, for some reason, left his exciting playing back with the Yardbirds.

And although I’m a big fan of the Beatles (While My Guitar Gently Weeps is a song that deserves the accolades Stairway has gotten), Led Zeppelin did better music. MUCH better music.

Oh, and I guess since I have to prove my credentials for you, I’m also a fan of Jake Holmes, Syd Barrett, Bob Dylan, Anne Bredon, Harry Chapin, Davey Graham, Bert Jansch, The Yardbirds, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath (admittedly, Ozzy-era), Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, etc, etc, etc.

So I can say I’m not exactly a stereotypical fan of the 60’s and 70’s in that I like a lot more then just big names of the era.

I find that rant kind of funny when a great musician like that slags another great band off
must have taken too much sauce oh and jimi hendrix is better than clapton or page anyway!

I think Jack Bruce’s comments are inappropriate – and wrong – but it does seem to me to be pretty poor form to interview him at the end of a booze fuelled evening, and then quote him on it.

I would be suprised if Jack is so willing to be interviewed next time round – which will be a shame for Classic Rock readers.

Christ on a bike! That’s childish as hell. Both bands achieved so much…Cream in a comparitively short time. Why dissect, judge, gauge and measure everything by sales and popularity. I wasn’t a fan of either band at the time prefering to worship Bill Nelson as the best thing since…etc, etc BUT I hope it was just the beer talking cos to get out of your pram about band rivalry at that age is a piss poor show! Show some fricking respect or at least don’t show disrespect…there’s plenty of room on the bus.

Finally, somebody that doesn’t have their lips wrapped ’round Led Zeppelin’s pole.

Jeremy is a pole-smoking pussy.
Isn’t he that ridiculous hack, cover band singer that lied to the world about being offered the frontman spot in Journey ?
Yeah, that’s him …, Jeremy Suckdicker !
The guy that told that incredible lie, and was later busted !!! I hear that now, he blames the whole episode on his cunt wife !!!

Jacks brain has definately been retarded by all the booze he’s consumed.Give it a rest mate,when all is said and done Zeppelin is the worlds greatest rock band,not Cream or anyone else.Every one in the sixties said Zepp was hype back then to.It wasn’t hype,quite simply they are the best,always will be.So Jack go home soak your boozed up brain in some more whisky and get a life.

What an arse!

Cream were a good band, no question, Zeppelin were better, no question (in my opinion only). To compare Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton is like comparing an artichoke to a footballer. Eric Clapton is probably the most overrated guitarist in the world, for someone with no style of his own and no passion in his playing, only great technique, I always fail to see why he is so rated, and I am a guitarist who appreciates many styles of playing. Eric Clapton is not even in the top 20. Jimmy may play the odd bum note but his style is unique, his playing always with great passion, more so than technique, plus on a songwriting level Jimmy is on another planet – Achilles Last Stand vs Wonderful Tonight? Yikes. Jack Bruce’s bitter ramblings sound like the sour grapes of a drunken has been. Did he ever wonder why the Cream reunion gigs didn’t get as much attention as the Zeppelin gig? He should have a think about that.

Blythie (my namesake) on the mark again; Jack had better watch his back now that he’s slagged off Led Zep – at a Classic Rock Awards show of all places! Surely though he wasn’t on the piss given his liver problems? Just goes to show that the old codger still has a bit of life left in him – too old to rock ‘n roll, too young to die as they say in the classics! Both were great bands, although in my opinion Cream were more innovative, and Led Zep were a little bit overrated…

Bring back Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac….better than the pair of em

Jack Bruce, you officially qualify for the loony bin, you old fuck.

Nothing against Cream but you fellas couldn’t touch Zeppelin with a 10-ft pole on your best day. The depth of the Zep catalog makes Cream look insignificant by comparison.

As for Clapton vs. Page – they’re both highly overrated guitar players (Jeff Beck and Gary Moore play circles around both….) but at least Jimmy is a godhead songwriter and visionary producer. Clapton is neither – that’s why he needs to borrow songs from Doyle Bramhall II and the likes these days.

God, I hope I don’t become as bitter as Jacky when I’m old……..

Perhaps an element of truth but did Jack really need to come out and say it. Man for man Baker is better than Bonham, Bruce better than Jones & Clapton better than Page. But then Zep have Plant & Jonesys other skills – so lets call it a draw & enjoy both bands.

How sad. He’s jealous. And Jimmy Page makes Eric Clapton weap with frustration for not being good enough.

Hmm, I used to have half an ounce of respect for cream despite their having clapton in the band, this just rubbed it all out. It is a shame Jack Bruce thinks this, it does stink of jealousy and bitterness though, I guess he wanted to fly on the starship and f**k Lori Maddox- who wouldnt?- but then if you believe that you should be where someone else is then it builds up a certain amount of resentment and I guess he’s been bottling it up for a while!

I find it odd that people will actually say that Jeff Backward and Eric Claptout are even in the same league as Page and it just shows that they havent heard much of what JP did. and as for Jack Bruce being ‘better’ than JPJ? I`d take up playing the bass before you make any judgements like that, I`ve not heard anything by Jack Bruce I cant play after a minute or two of listening- JPJ? cant copy him. He is far too good technically and to make it worse he doesnt think like a bassist- he thinks much bigger than that which leaves us poor bassists crying over our bloody stumps where our fingers once were.

wtf?
Zepplin is way better thn Cream
I mean, theyre both good but Zeppelin is just amazing!

Teleri, the only thing that makes me weap (sic) is your appalling spelling!

somebody is jealous.

What was he drunk? How can you knock Zeppelin? Even if you BELIEVED the nonsense this psycho spewed, what does it prove to say it like that, so angry and jealous? Jack Bruce, change your colostomy bag next time you get interviewed, maybe you won’t be so cranky.

> From Dave Oswald: Baker was way better than Bonham.

As a drummer of 35 years, this is easily one the most ridiculous statements I have ever heard. In this universe, there is no one except you and Ginger Bakers mom that would lay claim to that…no one. My God, how can you say that with a straight face?

> Bruce is a better musician than JP Jones

Again, you are bonkers. Johnny Baldwin has skills beyond what Jack Bruce can ever dream of.

I have yet to hear statements quite as silly as yours since I was in high school.

roflmao he must have been drunk off his trolley

Page isn’t a master technician like Al Dimeola, but what makes him in a class WAY above Clapton is his production vision, songwriting, the classic riffs and his penchant for taking chances on every Zep album. And I am not taking a thing away from EC, he is a GREAT player world class – he just isn’t the total package that Page is, on that there is no debate.

It is quite sad to hear Bruce make these statements, they are quite petty and immature. Cream has it’s place in music history – it just so happens Zeppelin’s place in history is at the top of the class and to suggest otherwise is ridiculous.

Jack Bruce sucks his mudda’s cunt.

What’s that on Jack Bruce’s head? Looks like one o them shims…

> From Richard Jones: “Baker is better than Bonham”

See above, you are as Mr. Oswald is, nuts. The only thing Ginger Baker can lay claim to is that he’s the best drummer speed ever produced.

Honestly, it’s refreshing to see a guy speak his mind instead of just throw verbal valentines at everyone else in the industry. Page IS sloppy and always has been. The guys in Cream ARE better musicians. And while LZ’s worth as a band is up for opinion, it’s certainly Jack’s right to say he thinks they suck. Why all the hatred here? Oh that’s right…Zep fanboys have their widdle feewings hurt!

Antinostalgist,you are a complete idiot.

Seriously? Cream has 4 great songs. Zep has like, 40 or 50. Nuff said.

I think Jack forgot to take his medication that night.
Clapton turned into a musical parody of himself right after the Dominoes broke up, end of story.
Page may be sloppy, but who gives a shit? I’ll put Led Zeppelins body of work up against Cream’s any day.
And by the way, the guy meant to write
“Clapton is GOOD” on that wall, but ran out of paint and only managed to get one “O” up, that’s why it came out “Clapton is God”.

Baker v Bonham. Did anyone hear the Carmine Appice Story on BBC R2 about a month ago? Carmine came across completely nuts about all things drumming. His ‘Big 3′ – Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell & Keith Moon. John Bonham got an honouable mention.

Dear Adrian Jones your discussion “Clapton vs Page”,”Achilles last stand vs Wonderful tonight” is ridiculous. It’s also difficult leaving other comments after these sentences!!

Wow. Thanks for the deep insight there, “guy”. Dumbass. All you guys here have the same rap; Zeppelin is so great that if Bruce doesn’t agree with us he’s drunk/nuts/jealous, etc. I guess him just having a different opinion isn’t allowed. Don’t worry girls…Jack’s words can’t take away your obvious manlove for your aged idols!

>From Sandy: Baker v Bonham. Did anyone hear the >Carmine Appice Story on BBC R2 about a month ago? Carmine came across completely nuts about all things drumming. His ‘Big 3′ – Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell & Keith Moon. John Bonham got an honouable mention.

FYI, Carmine (Who I love and admire as a drummer) has always maintained that Bonham “Stole everything he knew from me”… I guess Carmine never heard of Bernard Purdie, as he was Bonhams main influence.

He is nuts when he comes to this, I wish he would let it go. He just looks foolish.

To Antinostalgist: That is not at all what I said. I said he must have been drunk to go off like that. He is entitled to his opinion and I am entitled to think he’s out of his mind.

Besides, EC even says Bruce is a nutjob, he is basically the reason Cream broke up.

Bruce is what he is – a bitter, jealous old coot that hates Zeppelin because they wiped Cream off the map when they hit the scene…case closed.

Hey Claude
I wasn’t speaking to you directly, but more to the crowd in general. I agree Bruce probably had a few drinks in him, in the sense that it made him speak more freely. That however, doesn’t lessen the credibility of his content. Like you, I’m also a drummer(23 years) and I also think Ginger is better than Bonham, who is wildly overrated in my opinion, which is all it is. Whether it’s Jack, you, me, or Appice, it’s just opinion, inevitably colored by our own biases. I know this; Baker has done quite a bit of jazz/fusion playing, which even at it’s most mundane, is a hell of a lot more challenging than ANY LZ material. Neither one of them is a favorite of mine, but GB has certainly kept better company

There is little doubt that Jack Bruce is talented in his own right, which makes his tirade all the more disappointing.

Cream were great and Led Zeppelin are also great, one could assert in a class by themselves.

His ridiculously negative comments say much more about him than Zep.

Comparing Page to Clapton is difficult, choosing one as superior to the other is impossibly difficult and like trying to say Picasso is better than Monet (not that I would know ).

One thing is for sure though, Jack Bruce’s vocals do not even remotely approach the magnificance of Robert Plant.

Perhaps Bruce should follow the old adage, “If you have nothing nice to say….”

Growing up on James Brown and the British Invasion, I was a great fan of the Yardbirds, Clapton>Beck>Page. Cream was original and always gave credit where it was due. Led Zeppelin ripped off American Blues artists, as did Plant (“Good Rockin at Midnight” stolen from Roy Brown’s “Good Rockin’ Tonight”). Need I say more?

blah blah blah
clapton, page
both butchered blues in dreadful shameless ways
both bands are crap

Jack’s comments made me laugh and not in a negative way. I love Led Zep’s music and some of Cream’s. Thank you Jack for getting all that bile that off your chest in public, it was so funny – reminded me of Basil Faulty.

ehh i dont like zepplin cept for a few songs, but outbursting like that is wrong. respect the fame theyve both earned. if hes done such a good job, does he really needa put down someone else?oh well hes an old richass fart obviously hes gettin away with wat he said.

I think Mr. Bruce is absolutely correct…Zeppelin is highly overrated…but Jimmy Page is still an alight guitarist…not compared to Mr. Clapton though.

WTF? Jack Bruce? When you stop looking like Steve Winwood on Meth, then we can start to listen to your drivle. Cream could not hold Zep’s jock strap – PERIOD! Great points have already been made about the differences between Clapton and Page. Totally different styles. Both with a blues base but Clapton was totally immersed in the blues whereas Jimmy has always been a much more adventerous guitarist and can play a myriad of different styles, albeit not perfectly all the time – but that’s part of the allure. He left in imperfections even on records because he knows he’s not perfect. And if we’re talking about being a complete guitarist – from song writing to playing to style – the complete package? There is NO ONE better than Page when you’re talking about rock guitarists. As for the numb-nutz who thought it makes sense to throw the Beatles album sales in there as a way to prove their validity or superiority over Zep? How many F&%$ING singles and packaged albums did the Beatles release in their lifetime compared to only nine studio discs and a few (comparitively speaking) best-of sets? The Beatles re-packages so much stuff and re-released it to obviously more sales. Bottom line here – Bruce is bitter just like Richards was a few years ago when he said Zep was nothing more than a glorified studio band. To quote the late Peter Grant, “Jack…you couldn’t even get in the fucking starting line”….

All I can say is that Zeppelin rulz… my mom got me into zepp, she’s one hell of a rocker and I love old rock music thanks to her, she has tons of albums and dvd’s, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Yes… just to name a few, we are huge zepp fans, and guess what, this is the very first time I’ve heard about this band called “Cream”, never even heard a song (gonna look for one now), so, if not even my mom knows about this band, how can he be saying such things about zepp?? poor jealous old man. If you have any Cream song worthy listening let me know, ’cause if he’s saying those things he BETTER BE GOOD…

LONG LIVE THE GOLDEN GOD!!!! (Robert Plant of course ) hehehehe

Antinostalgist,your dribble sounds like jacks,you both on the same drugs?

For those who think booze fueled Jack’s remarks, I’ve seen him say somewhat the same things on several occasions when he was clearly sober. Whether right or wrong, he believes what he says and has never been shy about saying so. Watch the Cream historical retrospective DVD if you want to hear him and the far more caustic comments about Zep by Ginger Baker. According to him, Page and Hendrix for that matter, can’t carry Clapton’s water bottle. It’s pretty hard to disagree if you listen to the Cream reunion DVD, and especially Clapton’s Live in Hyde Park DVD.
I love both Cream and Zep music, but there was a huge talent difference between the two bands. Undeniable.

Cream remains my favorite band since 1968, Bruce remains my second favorite vocalist, Morrison being first. Hendrix my favorite guitarist, with a Clapton and Santana toss up for second, and Beck being third. Blah – Blah, I know I’m rambling, but my point is this: “To each his own Mr. Bruce.” To me Page writes and plays more intelligently than Clapton, while Clapton has more depth of feel and more from the heart expressiveness, as Santana does as well. However, Carlos nor Clapton can ever hold a candle to Page’s song writing structure, I’m not talking about his guitar leads now, I’m talking about his ideas, creativity, dynamics, interacting chord dexterity and innovation – although yeah he does at times play sloppy where Clapton is much smoother; but again this is just my opinion. Bottom line, Jack I love ya, but you’re way out of line and also a bit delusional.

I think that Jack Bruce sounds like a bitter version of Little Richard, “I invented everything!”

Clapton is annoying as a guitarist and intolerable as a singer. Jack Bruce is the only reason I like Cream.

That being said, it’s a really, really stupid comparison for Bruce to make. Led Zeppelin just blows them out of the water. This is ALMOST as bad as Oasis ranting about how the Beatles sucked.

As hard rock bands go, Led Zeppelin is unparalleled. And next to Hendrix, Page is the best. Ever. Period.

One more thing. Someone mentioned the great painters and that led me to a different analogy: saying that Clapton is better than Page because Page plays some “sloppy notes,” is like finding a few imperfect brush strokes in Van Gogh’s oeuvre and summarily proclaiming him inferior to Andy Warhol.

So yeah; pretty dumb. If technical precision were the measure, we’d be worshiping Yngwie or Van Halen.

To Scottbuster2000.
The comparison you should be making here in terms of sales is between Zep and Cream, not the Beatles.
It’s easy to see why you chose not to.

The angry ranting scotsman has fallen out with just about everyone over the years, even Pete Brown his writing partner. No doubt Cream were the pioneers, opening the doors for others to follow & go thro the door Zep most certainly did. In the 70’s when Zep ruled the world Jack could hardly get a gig outside small halls – this is his first beef. On a playing level Creams re-union on all but the last night at MSG surpassed Zep’s efforts at the O2, this is his second beef.
As for the Clapton/Page comparison, this belongs in a time long past. Theres room in my CD rack for anything either of them want to put out.

I’m only 33 and about 6 years ago came across some bootleg Cream CD’s, Ever since, I cannot name a better live band. Zep was a great studio band….but live hands down it’s Cream. I recommend finding the Detriot Grande Ballroom bootleg and the Oakland 67 bootleg. NSU on the Detriot bootleg blows away and live Zep tune. You can hear were Zep and Blacksabbath got some of their sound. At the time Cream was a band the who’s who of american bands wanted to see.

Also Clapton outplays page every time!!! also Blind faith if they would have stayed together would have been better than Zep. Steve Winwood could outsing Plant anyday.

Check out the bootlegs…they’re mind blowing!!!

Can’t remember who here said that Cream was a better live band than Zep, while Zep was better in studio. Can’t agree more. I bought a couple of remastered Zep DVDs of live concerts from the 70s. Truely awful stuff by Page. Sorry to say it but it’s true. Clapton was always at his best live. Clearly not the same for Jimmy.

Jack Bruce may not have very good manners, but The Cream were in the top tier of bands in that era, despite how short their collaboration was. Nothing wrong with Zeppilin, but they didn’t come close in my book. It was The Cream that people wanted to hear when they got in my car and looked through the tape box, along with Big Brother’s Cheap Thrills and anything by the Dead or Country Joe.

Wow. I can’t believe Jack Bruce would go on such an absurd rant about Zeppelin like that. Personally, I love Cream probably about as much as I love Zeppelin. But this has actually offended me. I just can’t believe Jack Bruce would say that.

I love Cream, but I love Zeppelin a lot more.
How can anybody say that Zeppelin were crap?
Did he not notice Zeppelin were probably THE biggest band of the 70’s at one point?

Clapton is a great guitarist, one of the best. But Page? How can anyone insult the great JP?
Jimmy Page is without a doubt in anyones book one of the ultimate guitarists..

Reading this interview has not changed my opinion of Led Zeppelin one bit, but my estimation of Cream has gone down a peg or two. Maybe Jack Bruce should have been required to “answer this simple math question” before he sat down for an interview.

I’ve always been a fan of Cream, but they never came close to the range and depth that Led Zeppelin brought to the table. Clapton never strays outside his comfort zone – Page doesn’t seem to have one. Jonesy could kick Bruce’s sorry (b)ass and then pick up three other instruments and do it all over again.

True greatness in a band is not simply a matter of hitting all the pretty notes on the fretboard. It is about individuals melting together into an atomic unit and creating heat, light, and plenty of sound. It is about inspiring the next generation to strap on a guitar, grow their hair long, and try to do better. By any measure, Zeppelin is all that and more.

Sorry, Jack. We love you, man, but that was just uncalled for.

Say anything about Zep & the fanboys get all riled up.

Bruce is entitled to his opinion, and it is not without some merit. It is interesting to note that the “Golden God” had to have the band tune down, while this so-called codger with a liver transplant did not.

It’s all fair IMO. Led Zeppelin were renowned for slagging off other bands throughout their career. At one point, they took every opportunity to attack, as they said, “Jethro Dull.” This is just a bit of karma.

Slog the “fanboy” label around all you want – Zeppelin still kicks ass over Cream. Anyone who says otherwise just doesn’t know shit about music. Seriously.

So what if Zeppelin had to tune down? Robert Plant is old enough to be my grandmother. Name a single Cream song that even aspires to those lofty heights? They were into falsetto just to handle I Feel Free. I’d like to hear Jack Bruce try to sing I Can’t Quit You Babe without busting a gonad.

Sure, Bruce is entitled to his opinion. He’s even entitled to spout off to any magazine reporter who will print it. Just as the millions of Zeppelin fans are entitled to tell him that he’s a bit too full of himself.

Streuth people, read the whole transcript and try applying a bit of common sense before throwing a tantrum abouit your precious Led Zepplin.

“So Disraeli Gears is now 41 years old.
Is it really? Wow.

It doesn’t seem like 41 years?
No. It seems much longer than that. ”

Does that sound like a serious exchange to you?

Come on.

Jack was having a laugh, taking the piss and the toe rag of a reporter has written the thing up out of context without putting ‘It was a joke, everybody’ all over the page which so many of you seem desperately to need.

Work on your comprehension skills, guys.

Having said that, he was overstating something which many of us know to be true, Led Zepplin were grossly over hyped and over-rated…

To all you idiots who keep claiming Jack Bruce is anything short of the most influential and unmatched bass player in modern history:

go kill yourself.

idiots like you are the reason music is the way it is today. Led Zepplin wouldn’t be Led Zepplin if it weren’t for groups like Cream and musicians like Eric Clapton.

Thats why there is no comparison.. Led Zepplin is good but Cream is great. You twats need to get back to the crusty cunt you walked out of.

Im afraid Jack has come off the boil since “songs for a Tailor” was released in the early 70’s.

His ears must be fried as well since he played his fretless bass out of tune all night when I paid good money to see him in Ipswich a few years ago.
A very poor & sad perfomance which I left early as many other punters did!

You’re a bitter, jealous old man Jack & thats a big shame!

Robert Brown

He stooges!!!! He was joking… stodgy Englishmen, sheesh!

#1) Sure, Jack Bruce may well have been half in the bag when he said this (amazing what one can do with a new liver…..I know personally….) but I doubt that he’s at all ‘jealous’ of Led Zeppelin, even for a minute.
#2) JB is in a different class than the Zep guys, and he is the consummate musician/singer not to mention a damn good writer and arranger/producer. There’s not much that Jack Bruce can’t do….much like McCartney….but better (I think) and more enjoyable.
Annoyed or disgusted may be better descriptions than “jealous”. I ask you, comparing the “4″ good originals written by Cream to the “40 or 50″ by Led Zeppelin, how many of those Zep tunes did they in reality write themselves. As opposed to pilfering them from the original old bluesmen who actually DID write them?? And these guys received no credit for them whatsoever. But Page-Plant did.
I recall hearing that Skip James was able to live out his last days in relative comfort (as opposed to relative poverty) thanks to the royalties received from “I’m So Glad”. I don’t believe Zep ever did that, unless ordered by the courts……..as when Willie Dixon sued them, and quite justifiably.
This is what particularly bugged some of the big guys, as it did Keith Richards and Jimi Hendrix.
Listen, I give credit where it’s due. Page is very good within his own style, sometimes erratic, sometimes sloppy in person. Definitely a unique player. John Paul Jones is likewise an excellent musician, as well as underrated……..a fine bass player. But he’s no Jack Bruce. As for Zep’s success, a LOT of it was timing. A similar-style group was the far better original Jeff Beck Group, who were around for two or so years………and then pfffffft……..gone! Sound a bit like Cream??